ROCHELLE -— Beautiful weather coupled with music, food and activities made for a successful first ever Fiesta Hispaña Saturday.

Event organizer Rosie Arteaga said families enjoyed all that the Hispanic heritage festival had to offer including painting, games, crafts and a bouncy house. Ballet Xochiquetzal performed dance routines and a wide variety of authentic food was served.

“The Fiesta Hispaña of Rochelle was a total success! There was singing and dancing with the variety of music genres starting out with DJ Tone, Tamborazo Salina, Anejo Norteno, and Solecito Serreno,” Arteaga said. “There was something for everyone’s taste buds…tacos, pozole, tamales, tortas…Tecalitlan Restaurant and El Señor de los Tacos also served a variety of beverages.”

Next year’s plans include a Fiesta Hispaña Queen pageant for high schools girls as well as one for preschool aged children along with expanding the music, food options, activities and including a vendors market.

“The Hispanic Fiesta committee would like to thank everyone who helped make this event such a success — the volunteers, vendors, the committee and everyone who helped in any way. We are looking for additional members to make this event bigger and better next year and every year,” Arteaga said. “We were excited with this year’s turnout but the sky is the limit for Fiesta Hispaña 2019 which will be Sept. 14, 2019.”

Anyone interested in being a part of the committee is asked to email Arteaga at rarteaga@d231.rochelle.net.