“Fiesta” was more than just a word on Saturday as families, friends and neighbors came together to celebrate Hispanic culture and Mexican tradition at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur.

The Mexican Heritage Society’s 48^th Annual Fiesta opened its doors at 9:30 in the morning and welcomed a continuing stream of attendees who were looking to participate in a wide variety of activities that the event offered, including food, dancing, live entertainment and traditional pageants.

But if one were to ask certain Fiesta goers, it meant more than just partying with live music.

“It’s important for Hispanics and it’s important for everyone. It’s a great way to bring cultures together and to celebrate them,” Briana Toribio, the 2015 Miss Mexican Heritage Society Queen, said of the annual event.

When talking about legacies and the new traditions being started in the 48^th Fiesta, Toribio mentioned the Parade of Mexican States.

“The parade is new this year. It’s this wonderful thing representing the country. Everyone will be able to learn about our culture and why we do certain things.”

For Gloria and Roberto Moreno, president and vice president of the Mexican Heritage Society respectively, history and culture were vital topics for them to include.

“We’ve been doing this for 11 years,” Roberto said of their tenure as Fiesta organizers.

“We’ve been active in the [Hispanic] society for years,” Gloria said. “Our granddaughter actually got us involved with the Mexican Heritage Fiesta.

“When she was little, she loved watching the Folklorico dancers; and, one day, we brought her to tryouts to practice.”

Gloria smiled as she recalled, “It was like seeing a fish take to water. She had a real knack for it. She just kept on improving and now is director of the dancers.”

When it came time to showcase new venues for the long-running Fiesta, the Morenos knew that culture would have to be a key part of it.

“We have the Parade of Mexican States,” Roberto said about the Fiesta’s first year event.

“Each state is individually represented and every territory’s color and design is indicative of their [respective] histories,” Gloria said.

History was one of the connecting themes for the Fiesta.

“When the Folkloric dancers dance, they’re not just pretty dancers,” Gloria said. “It’s their passion for history on display.

“When we dance and when we wear our clothing, it tells a story about the people and their history. Everything has to be done authentically [because] it tells a story and it’s very important.”

As for what would be returning staples for the Fiesta, those appeared to be simple enough for the organizers to decide upon.

“It’s the food,” Roberto said with a laugh. “The food, the art of dancing and family.”

Getting families and their younger generations invested in their culture was an important aspect for the Morenos, as it helped ensure a lasting legacy for both the Society and the Fiesta.

“Our dancers are performing the same way that their parents and grandparents did,” Gloria said. “In the 48 years that [the Heritage Fiesta] has been going on, it didn’t start and stop with older generations — they’ve all been carrying on the same sense of tradition.”

“We’d see the parents of some of the younger kids come around,” Roberto said. “And know that they were here as young kids themselves.”

It would be that sense of tradition and familiarity that would bring other families to the 48^th Annual Fiesta as well.

“We came here to celebrate together and to be able to show our kids their culture,” Crystal Charles said.

Her husband Alan agreed. “We want to show them where we come from.”

It was the family’s second year to attend the Fiesta. Their one-year old daughter, Mia, was entered into the children’s costume contest.

“It’s about the people and cultural traditions,” Alan said.