Special to The Leader

The  Mexican Heritage Society’s 48^th Annual Fiesta is set for Sept. 10, 2016.

Saturday’s event requires admission to attend pageants, contests, dance shows and concerts. Food vendors will provide a feast of delicious Mexican dishes including an array of various types of “taquitos” and everyone’s favorite: corn in a cup.

Watch some Port Arthur Police Department’s  finest take on the tamale-eating contest challenge.

Entertainment as usual will provide the public with the best Mexican dance music that will encourage anyone to kick up their heels.  Sandy G y Los Gavilanes came in to Beaumont for the “Viva Fest” celebration at the Jefferson Theater a couple of months back and caught the Society members’ attention.

“The band is popular, has a great sound and plays a good variety of music including cumbias, huapangos and polkas guaranteed to satisfy everyone’s dancing preference, said Robert Moreno,” the Society’s vice president.

Gloria Moreno, society president, said the Fiesta is about “keeping the culture alive and sharing the beauty of our heritage with the community.”  Dancers from age 6 to adult make up the group of 42 Folklorico performers.

Ballet Folklorico combines history, culture and religion with movement and vividly colorful costumes to reflect the cultural differences of the various states and regions of Mexico. Dances range from pre-Columbian indigenous ritual to influences of Spanish, French, Caribbean and Mexican Revolutionary cultures. Each dance tells a story of Mexico’s rich history, Moreno said.

A parade of the 31 Mexican States will be featured this year to give everyone an opportunity to feast their eyes on the beauty of Mexico, and the Society invites the public to participate.  Anyone who owns a traditional costume from a particular Mexican state and would like to be part of the parade may contact the Society for further information.

The Queen pageant provides young Mexican American women with academic scholarships and the opportunity to represent their heritage throughout the community.

The Fiesta celebrates Mexican Independence from Spain, observed each Sept. 16, and reunites former locals who grew up participating in the Port Arthur event.  For more information, visit www.mexicanheritagefiesta.com, call Robert Moreno at 409-673-3817 or visit Mexican Heritage Society of Port Arthur Texax on Facebook.