Staff report

Like all things American, the Hispanic Heritage Fiesta in Twin Falls City Park held a little of everything and offered it to everyone.

For some, the two-day celebration is a chance to celebrate Latino culture in the Magic Valley and to raise thousands of dollars for college scholarship - about 10 granted each year.

"We're growing every year, and this is probably our biggest year," said Alejandro Castaneda, one of the event organizers. "We're here to celebrate the diversity in our community and so that people can come and learn what we're all about."

But for Felipe Ibarra of Twin Falls, the fiesta offered food, live music and a chance for his five-year-old son, Daniel, to ride Don's Mini-Train, a lawn-mower-powered "locomotive" that pulled plastic-barrel train cars festooned with small Mexican flags for the day.

Three hours into Sunday's event, Ibarra had already sampled the tacos and carnitas, and had slurped an orange-flavored shaved ice. As Daniel waved from the passing train, Ibarra said he was ready for more.

"We'll be here until it's over," Ibarra said, referring to the end of live music at the Municipal Band Shell at 8 p.m.

Now in its 19th year, the fiesta has grown along with the Latino population of the Magic Valley. Once a one-day event, it became a weekend-long celebration three years ago. It's still growing, Castaneda said.

Between 5,000 and 6,000 people were expected to pass through City Park over both days, said Silvia Renova-Gaxiola, board chairman for the Hispanic Heritage Fiesta. The event draws people - Anglo and Latino alike - from as far as Boise and Idaho Falls, she said.

"This has been a very successful year, so far," she said. "It's a much bigger crowd than in years past."

Saturday's highlight was a car show with 70 entries. Sunday, it was live music.