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Musica Draws Latin Lovers To Festival

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By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2007

CLEARWATER - Longtime Bucs fan Linda Lions had a major decision to make: As a season ticket holder, she could either whoop and holler for her beloved football team or swing to the beat of her favorite music.

The Oldsmar resident opted for the latter. She and husband Ernie were among the thousands on tap for the second annual Festival del Sabor at Coachman Park in Clearwater. It was their second year in attendance.

The festival was sponsored by La Nueva, WYUU, 92.5 FM, the Tampa Bay area's first Spanish-language FM station, launched in 2005.

With portable chairs in hand, they parked themselves under a cluster of grand oaks about 50 yards to the left of the grandstand where they sipped their drinks and Linda unabashedly danced to Gilberto Santarosa, Elvis Crespo and Fonseca.

'This music is the best, and we have the best seats in the house,' she said.

Even those without such choice seats seemed to enjoy themselves, despite the intense heat and humidity and the threat of rain.

While the musicians took breathers, people meandered through the midway amid an array of Latin food and a variety of vendors touting caps, T-shirts, stuffed animals and other items from South and Central American countries.

'It's really, really hot out here, but I wouldn't miss this for anything,' said Giovana Torres of Brandon. 'I'm familiar with all of the entertainers, but I especially came to see Gilberto Santarosa.'

It was the second year Luis Carabalo drove to Clearwater from his home in Bradenton to attend the event. The Puerto Rican native came to Florida with his family when he was 8, but he said he cherishes his roots, especially the 'awesome' sounds of salsa music and the traditional Puerto Rican dinner of rice, beans and pork.

'Believe you me, there is nothing like this around my area, and that's why I come,' he said.

Sisters Tanya Matz and Ivonne Bianchi traveled all the way from Mexico City after hearing about the festival on the radio.

'We often hear the entertainers in Mexico, but this is better because it's in a different country,' Matz said.

Bianchi concurred.

'It's really great because it helps the Latinos get close.'

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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