Hundreds of people flocked into Dublin for the second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival as well as the Harry Bradberry Marching Classic (See more info on the Marching Classic on Page B6) Saturday.
HHF organizers with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce reported that parking remained sparse at the Dublin City Park from morning until late into the evening as people filed in for the events scheduled throughout the day.
“Everything we brought in had different visitors,” said Sandra Espinosa, saying she heard from many who spent time at the festival, left and came back to spend more time at the park.
Cars were spotted filling up downtown Dublin throughout the day, and Espinosa reported that several Dublin restaurant owners had told her that they had a steady stream of customers all day.
The festival’s 38 vendors were also happy with the turnout. The tables included homemade wares, toys and candy, face painting, refreshments and 15 food vendors—10 of which sold out during the event. The food vendors in attendance also participated in the Dublin Dollars program as a local employer had purchased a large amount of the certificates to spend during the day.
Dublin Dollars are vouchers that spend like real dollars at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
The pavilion was standing room only for most of the day as spectators took in more than 30 events in a boxing tournament (co-hosted by the Stephenville Boxing Club) that lasted until evening and reportedly ran smoothly.
“The officials said all the kinks were on their side and asked, ‘Do you do this often? You’re a pro,’” Espinosa said of the first-year event. She was even asked if the organizers could go on the road so other events could work as well.
The event also included live entertainment by folkloric dancers, the Dublin Dandi-Lions (who were fundraising on site) and musical acts like Conjunto Pluma Blanca and Los Reyes Del Sabor.
One of the few kinks in the event was the organization of the cabalgata trail ride, but the horse riders had increased from a few last year to dozens led by live music on a trailer. Their delay meant the bull and bronc rodeo started more than an hour late. Once it got underway, the crowds were ecstatic with the action, thanks in part to animals provided by Cody McClinton, Chino Rodriguez and Branden Brown from Whitney.
Espinosa said they are also reviewing a way to get more involved with the parade next year in downtown Dublin in the early morning hours.
Both Espinosa and Juanita Torres were told by people they were excited for the event to come back next year.
“It was amazing,” Torres said.
Organizers also wished to thank all the sponsors for making the event possible: 360 Ag Management, Baby Clay’s, Baca Handyman, Bank of Houston, Bargain Furniture, Blessings, Boucher and Smart CPAs, Bradberry’s Best, Bradberry Building Supply, Antonio Briseno, City of Dublin, Crazy Heart Sound & Lighting, Dairy Solutions, Dublin Bottling Works, Dublin Cleaners, Dublin EDC, Dublin Insurance Agency, Dublin Livestock, Emerton Realty Group, First National Bank, Gonzales Trucking, Grafton Market, Granny Clark’s, KSTV, Loyaltee Insurance, Mendez Masonry, Mixer Center, Brady Pendleton, Bill Rodriguez, Ruiz Construction, Sanchez Concrete, Soto AC/ Heating, Standard Dairy Consultants, Stephenville Boxing Club, Taqueria El Rio y Mariscos, Texas Bank, Tortilleria Mi Tierra, Velasco Car Audio, Veterinarian’s Outlet, Volleman’s Dairy Farm and Waste Connections.