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August/September 2025 | maconmagazine.com 113 T he Macon-Bibb Hispanic Festival is back on Saturday, October 18 and this time, it will be held at Cherry Street Plaza from 1—7 p.m. The vibrant fiesta will feature live music, entertainment, authentic Hispanic food, vendors, and fun for the whole family. We sat down for a brief conversation with the organizers of the festival, Monica Pirela and Elizabeth Almena. What is the Macon-Bibb Hispanic Festival? E: The Macon-Bibb Hispanic Festival is a vibrant cultural celebration that brings together the heart and soul of Latin America to the streets of Macon. From folklorico performances to authentic cuisine, the festival offers a joyful space where heritage is not only remembered but shared, honored, and passed on. M: It is an opportunity to proudly show who we are, what we eat, how we dance, how we live and feel. It is a party full of colors, aromas, music... but it is also much more than that. For many, this festival represents Elizabeth Almena and Monica Pirela INTERVIEW BY EDNA RUIZ ADAMS PHOTOS BY YADIRA SANDOVAL RODRÍGUEZ F i v e m i n u t e s w i t h We sat down for a brief conversation with the organizers of the Macon-Bibb Hispanic Festival, Monica Pirela and Elizabeth Almena. I feel deeply happy and proud to be able to show everyone who comes to the festival what we eat, to dance with them, to show part of our customs and traditions. Seeing their attentive faces, their bodies moving to the rhythm of our music, their smiles trying our meals... that is very satisfying for me. Because in the midst of so much, this festival reminds us that we are not alone, that we share a beautiful culture, full of life, and that when we come together, something very beautiful happens. What is your favorite part about the festival? E: There's a moment I'll never forget, it was 2023. We were in front of City Hall. The final performance had just stepped on stage, and I finally stepped back to catch my breath from the motion of the day. From the stage, I looked out and saw something magical: people of all ages and backgrounds dancing together. There were grandparents swaying with toddlers, longtime residents clapping alongside newcomers, friends laughing and strangers embracing the rhythm of songs they may not have even understood, but they felt it. The music, the atmosphere, the energy, it brought us together. M: I love walking among the stalls and hearing different accents, seeing entire families dancing, children trying food for the first time, people who don't speak Spanish but who dare to learn a word, follow the rhythm of a cumbia or ask about the meaning of a flag. It fills me with emotion to see how the festival breaks barriers, how it awakens curiosity and respect. But what touches my heart most is seeing our people – Hispanics – with their heads held high, smiling, feeling proud of who they are. It is a day when we feel seen, celebrated, at home. And above all, it is valuable to see how, even though we are far from our countries, for a day we return to our roots. The festival gives us a little taste of home, allows us to relive memories, traditions, and proudly embrace where we come from. That's priceless. a way for Macon-Bibb to tell us: "We see you, we value you, you are part of this community too." Although many of us were not born here, this place has become our second home, and this festival is a way to feel included, respected and celebrated. Why is it important to you? E: As a first-generation daughter of a single mother, the Macon-Bibb Hispanic Festival holds deep personal meaning for me. Growing up in a small household, my mother worked tirelessly to preserve our culture—insisting we speak Spanish, celebrate our traditions, and stay rooted in who we are, even far from our homeland. At the time, I didn't understand her insistence, but now I see she was protecting something sacred. This festival is an extension of that effort, a communal act of cultural preservation for ourselves, for those who've had to build a new home, and for future generations who may only know their heritage through what we pass down. M: Because I am part of this community. Keep up with more info about the Macon-Bibb Hispanic Festival through Macon-Bibb County's email or social media.