The smell of cooking, pork, chicken, beans and rice, mixed with exotic spices, greeted the thousands who attended the St. Jude Parish 22nd Hispanic Fall Festival in Sarasota on Nov. 7, 2026.
Food from 13 Latin American countries, as well as music, art, prizes, live entertainment, and activities for children, were highlights of the festival which serves as a celebration of the diverse parish community, united in faith.
The festival opened at 10 a.m. with an opening in prayer by Father Jiobani Batista, pastor of St. Jude, who encouraged everyone to see the richness of each community represented and to enjoy the daylong celebration.
This was followed by a parade of flags as women dressed in traditional outfits from their home countries proudly carried national flags forward before the festival stage. They then carried the flags throughout the festival grounds before returning them to the main entrance where they served as a colorful welcome for all.
In addition to those serving cuisine from Latin America, booths were also manned by different ministries at the parish, sharing information and seeking new members. The youth group cornered the market on selling cold fruit drinks, something many sought during the warm fall day.
Carmen Perez came to the festival with her family from Fort Myers, saying that she discovered it in 2022 and loves the energy and variety of food options. “I look forward to this every year. You can’t beat the excitement everyone has for celebrating their culture.”
Gabrielle Juarez, 8, who had a Mexican flag painted on her face, enjoyed a taco in the shade after dancing to several songs. She said she loved the food and couldn’t wait to see what kind of desserts were available. “This is so much fun.”
The desserts at the Brazil tent were a major attraction for young and old alike, with options such as brigadeiro (chocolate truffle), bolo (a cake), and acai (a dish made with frozen and mashed fruit and cream).
Whether it was the food, the music, the dancing, or the joy of being around so many happy people, the Hispanic Festival was a success by any measure.
The proceeds of the Hispanic Festival go to support the various outreach efforts of St. Jude Parish, including a food pantry and other programs which help families in need throughout the year, as well as supporting the construction of a new Parish church.
