Hispanic Heritage Month Festival

Folkloric dances from Mexico and Guatemala provided a colorful part of the first Hispanic Heritage Festival in Monett on Saturday. Though hampered by rain, the event attracted crowds and dancers for the evening concert. (Times photo by Murray Bishoff)

Colorful costumes and Latin rhythms helped bring alive ingredients of Hispanic culture for the Hispanic Heritage Month Festival in Monett. (Times photo by Murray Bishoff)

The first Hispanic Heritage Month Festival in Monett was held on Saturday, Sept. 15 in downtown Monett. The event was sponsored by Asociaci--n Latina Imagen. The event showcased various aspects of Hispanic culture, including the food. Pictured above, from left, are: Ivette Mayoral-Garcia, Virginia Garcia, Conchis Barajas and Aaron Mayoral-Garcia. ([Times Photo by Lisa Craft])

Wearing one of the hats from the folkloric dances, Sebastian Viscano introduced his own dance steps at midday during Saturday's Hispanic Heritage Month Festival in downtown Monett. (Times photo by Murray Bishoff)

The first Hispanic Heritage Month Festival in Monett had a slow start on Saturday because of continuous rain showers. Despite the weather, vendors lined Broadway in hopes that the weather would clear and business would pick up. ([Times Photo by Lisa Craft])

By the evening, showers had broken and there was dancing in the street in downtown Monett. This girl, wearing one of the festive dresses displayed in traditional Hispanic dances, whirled her skirt in tempo with the rhymn of the music being played. (Times photo by Murray Bishoff)

More of the folkloric dances from Mexico and Guatemala, performed during the Hispanic Heritage Month Festival in Monett. (Times photo by Murray Bishoff)

Line dancing Latin-style assembled under the tent in the evening to live music at the Hispanic Heritage Month Festival in Monett. (Times photo by Murray Bishoff)

The Latino band Conjunto Prisionero had the evening crowd dancing on Broadway on Saturday night at the conclusion of Monett's first Hispanic Heritage Month Festival. (Times photo by Murray Bishoff)

Festivities throughout the day at the Hispanic Heritage Month Festival concentrated under the two large tents erected at Third and Broadway. Monett's downtown street was blocked from Third to Fourth streets to allow room for vendors and activities. (Times photo by Murray Bishoff)