By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Chuck Reder (left) of Walnut Hills and Debby Vigna of Mt. Lookout demonstrate the Argentine tango Saturday at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, during the Latin American Festival. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

WEST END - Latin tunes had dozens of people clapping their hands, tapping their feet and dancing across the rotunda Saturday during the third annual Latin American Festival at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

Several acts performed, including Argentine tango and Panamanian dance groups. The Latin American Festival represents the cultures of Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Cuba and Panama.

The event, designed to bring people together to celebrate Latino culture through art, crafts, food, dance and music, continues noon-5 p.m. today.

"The crowds keep getting bigger and bigger every year," said Sonya Lively, manager of public programs for the museum center

Lively said that's important because Cincinnati has one of the fastest-growing Latino populations in the country. She said that museum center officials not only want to expose others to Latin American culture, but want to encourage Latinos to visit their facility.

IF YOU GO

What: Latin American Culture Fest. When: Noon-5 p.m. today. Where: Cincinnati Museum Center (Union Terminal) Cost: Free. Parking is $4.

The museum center will offer four other cultural festivals in the next few months - an African Fest (January), Appalachian Fest (February), Celtic Fest (March) and Asian Fest (April).

One of the highlights Saturday was the Mexican Day of the Dead altar created by a group of students from the University of Cincinnati. The display pays tribute to the Nov. 1 holiday (the eerie equivalent to Halloween), where a door opens between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

Visitors were also treated to samples of authentic Latin cuisine and musical performances from Vibracion Latina, a Latin dance band.

"This is a lot of fun," Bruce Mohr of Mount Healthy, said as he munched chips and salsa. "It's good to get out and do and see something you might not normally get to. Every culture has something different to offer that should be experienced."

Renata Kelly, a native of Ecuador, has been participating in the festival as a vendor since its inception. Kelly, who sells hand-woven sweaters and tapestries and other crafts, said she enjoys educating others about her culture.

"This is a beautiful event because people get to appreciate what other countries have to offer," she said.

E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com