Rockford's third annual South Main Mercado showcases Latino and Hispanic heritage
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The third annual South Main Mercado market shut down Rockford's Main Street Sunday afternoon to highlight the Latino and Hispanic community.
The market's first year was in the parking lot of the Ethnic Heritage Museum and has grown immensely in just two years. Co-Chair for the Mercado Cat Valdez Doyle said she expects the growth to continue.
'We can't wait to bring in the neighborhood more year after year,' Valdez Doyle said. 'This is all about southwest Rockford, this is all about South Main. This is about an incredible area that's just been named a cultural district celebrating what has always been, which is that Southwest Rockford is special and incredible.'
Valdez Doyle said the purpose of the event is to allow people to see what the Hispanic culture has to offer.
'I love the phrase respecting the culture,' she said. 'We always say that this event is for Latinos, but it's also for everyone. It's a celebration of Latino culture, but everyone is welcome and invited to come and see kind of this food, music, {and} vendors vibe that we shoot for.'
Ava Kelly owns Art by Ava D.K. and had a booth at the market. She said she is proud of being a part of such a great event.
'I'm just super excited that Rockford and South Main itself is getting representation and I'm just so very excited by it,' Kelly said.
Volunteer and Program Coordinator for CCS Alexis Izquierdo shared that excitement.
'It means a vitality in the Southside of Rockford that I think is super important,' Izquierdo said. 'It's really nice to see that coming back to this neighborhood. It's so nice to see how many more vendors we have. It's really exciting.'
Valdez Doyle said she hopes the market helps people get a sense of where others around the world come from.
'We are all volunteers,' she said. 'All of us are going to work tomorrow. It's going to be really hard, but we do this because we believe in a cause and a mission.'
Valdez Doyle said the market is always looking for more volunteers and vendors. If interested, email southmainmercado@gmail.com.
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