By Temo Olvera / Managing Editor

Ariana Martinez takes the stage in front of a crowded downtown Sedalia. Cowboy hats and flags wave to her as the crowd cheers for its first Reina Latina. 

“Viva Mexico!,” a man shouts from the steps of the pavilion.

The Festival Latino is the first celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month hosted by the Sedalia Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Heritage Committee. People tracing their histories back to El Salvador, Mexico, and other Latino countries gathered to share their culture.

“We want to bring everyone,” Blue Ramirez, president of the Hispanic Heritage Committee, said. “We want that culture to be out here. We want that food and just for them to feel like I can use my traditional clothes. Bring my heritage out.”

Candy flew from floats covered in national flags and colors kicking off the festival with a parade. Kids scrambled to fill their bags and wave to the three candidates for Reina Latina: Martinez, Adamaris Ramirez, and Joana Hernandez.

On stage, the three contestants looked to each other for support as they had to go off script. The contestants were going to introduce themselves and then take questions. 

“We went the complete opposite so that really threw us off,” Ramirez said. “We just rolled with the punches and I think we did great.”

Some of the questions the contestants answered included: who is God? How will you give back to your community? And what moments in your life define who you are? They answered first in Spanish then English. 

“I have parents from Mexico,” Martinez said to the crowd. “I’m proud to be Hispana. They’ve taught me to work hard, never give up, and to work hard for my future.”

The pageant organizer Chave Murio-Parerez said they wanted to have someone represent Latino beauty at the festival. She said the pageant gave these three women the opportunity to represent their community.