WINSTON-SALEM — After being canceled last year and delayed this year, the Hispanic festival Fiesta Val took place Oct. 17 at Our Lady of Mercy Parish.
The festival was originally scheduled to be held in September to celebrate the patroness of Our Lady of Mercy, but the event was moved to October because of administrative changes in the parish and the ongoing pandemic. Last year the festival was not held at all because of the pandemic, but it returned this year with measures taken to ensure distancing and sanitation.
Organizers and parishioners called this Fiesta Val a joyful success. Folk dances, live music and karaoke enlivened the festival, and volunteers sold foods of different nationalities. Items were raffled off.
Father David McCanless, the church’s pastor, greeted those present. Father Alfonso Gamez, parochial vicar, accompanied the parishioners taking pictures and 
enjoying the artistic program.
Both children and adults enjoyed the day, which began a little windy but later became pleasant.
David Guzman, coordinator for the Hispanic Ministry of the parish, said in an interview, “The Fiesta Val is celebrated in honor of Our Lady of Mercy, who is our patron saint, and is normally celebrated around Sept. 24, which is her patron saint’s day.”
He said the whole community is invited, and that in past years, the festival has drawn between 1,000 and 2,000 attendees.
“This time we had less people since we are still in pandemic, but thanks to God, everything went very well.”
Carmen Leyva, coordinator of Fiesta Val, said the festival started six years ago. “The objective is to raise funds to help with expenses throughout the year, such as retreats, celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, liturgical material, etc.,” she said. “And the most important thing: to live together as a united community!”
Around 20 people belonging to different ministries in the parish helped organize the event, Leyva said, and the entire community donated 100 percent of all the food, drinks and talents that made it festive. “There are two factors that are the heart and soul of the festival: food and entertainment.”
— Sergio Lopez, Correspondent
