Emporia’s Latino heritage has a lot of public celebrations every year, and two were held Saturday.
The Lorenzo Delgado Sports Complex at Santa Fe Park was the site of the fifth annual Latin Legends Softball Tournament. Organizer David Rodriguez was glad showers vaporized before the tournament started. He says softball and history was infused into him by his father.
Rodriguez is also grateful to see the community interest as evidenced Saturday.
Before the games, Rodriguez officially recognized this year’s Latin Legends Hall of Fame members: players Tommy Garcia, Daniel Salas, Busty Bustamante, Chris Gonzalez, Paulie Hernandez and writer Rod Martinez.
Overlapping the softball tournament was the third annual Tumbados car show in downtown Emporia. Club organizer Arturo Vazquez says he started the club three years ago for one simple reason: he loves cars.
Vazquez’s wife, Yesenia, says the club also gives youths something to look forward to.
Meanwhile, plans are underway for the city’s upcoming Dia de los Muertos Celebration, which will be held Oct. 25 in downtown Emporia.
*Click here for KVOE’s YouTube channel, including videos from both events.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
