It's always been a way to reach the community. Although Mexicans and Mexican-Americans appear to make up the largest portion of the recent Latino influx, central Ohio's booming economy also is drawing people from Central and South America and the Caribbean. All bring distinct cultures and customs. They're from 20 different countries. That's why salsa music, for example, can be popular in New York City's Spanish Harlem and among Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants, Corona said, yet might not appeal to South American or Mexican immigrants.
Indian ancestry provides another case in point.
In other countries, it might be a reason for national pride. The diversity in Latino cultures has been evident each summer since 1996, when the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department began sponsoring Festival Latino along the Downtown riverfront. The weekend festival has grown each year, fueled by interest from the growing Latino population and the general public. This year's event is scheduled for June 16-17. Last summer, Iglesia Santa Cruz at 5th and Rich streets Downtown, a Spanish-speaking parish established by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus, also held a festival for the first time to showcase Latino diversity.