2007年VOA标准英语-Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee Celebrates 30th Ann

By Faiza Elmasry
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
14 September 2007
 

The Midwestern U.S. city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is home to many immigrants and their descendants from many different cultures, and this ethnic¹ mix is celebrated² with a number of summer festivals. In this report prepared by Faiza Elmasry, Carol Pearson tells us about Milwaukee's Mexican Fiesta, one of the largest Hispanic Festivals in the Midwest.

Sara Lopez and her family

The Mexican fiesta is one of the most important summer ethnic events in Milwaukee. The city looks and sounds like Mexico for one summer weekend each year.

Sara Lopez came with her family all the way from Mexico to attend the festival. "We come every year. We love the food, the music, the culture, the different variety  from all over Mexico."

The three-day event includes lots of music and dancing and children's workshops on how to make traditional Mexican paper crafts, And of course, there are the artisans. More than 250 come from Mexico and other countries.

One fabric³ artist, Anita Perez, says, "Every design means something in our culture."

Fifty-one-year-old fabric artist Anita Perez offers festivalgoers a glimpse of how she hand weaves her products.

Mexican furniture and stoneware

Rosy⁴ Lozano of Leon, Mexico, says over the last five years, her company's furniture has been one of the festival's best sellers. "This furniture with metal, iron, glass and wood is special. The people here are very happy to see the furniture."

Traditional Mexican bread is another popular item. "First of all it's all natural. It's not overly sweet" says Mexican American Dora Baca was one of more than 1,000 Milwaukee residents who volunteered at the festival this year.

Twelve-year-old Victor Zorita was another. "I get to learn how to bake. It's a lot of fun."

The enthusiastic work of volunteers made it possible for the Mexican Fiesta to become one of the most popular annual tourist attractions in Milwaukee.

And this year, the festival celebrated its 30th anniversary, says Craigorio Montoto, Mexican Fiesta Vice⁵ President. "We bring in about 75,000 people (visitors)."

The Mexican fiesta features dance and other aspects of the Mexican culture

Montoto says the festival also attracts many people from outside the Latino communities.

Lebanese American Maha Balabaki says she is attracted to the festival for more than one reason. "I like the things that they have for sale. The food is good and the music is nice to listen to."

Along with sharing the Latino heritage, the festival has another objective. Organizers try to raise as much money as possible during the three days of the festival for an education fund, Montoto says. "Every year we give about $70,000, $80,000 in scholarships for students to attend universities. Not only Mexicans, but Hispanics."

He says that objective encourages both Hispanics and non-Hispanics to spend even more money while having fun with friends and family.

1 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

2 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

3 fabric   

n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织

参考例句：

• The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
• I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。

4 rosy   

adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的

参考例句：

• She got a new job and her life looks rosy.她找到一份新工作，生活看上去很美好。
• She always takes a rosy view of life.她总是对生活持乐观态度。

5 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。