Celebrating Hispanic heritage at Canalside

Buffalo got a taste of Hispanic heritage Saturday afternoon! Goya Foods, which provides Caribbean flavor, teamed up with the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, to give Western New Yorkers flavor at Canalside.

There was live music, and free samples of some of Goya's products. 

"Goya is very happy to bring families here in the United States a little bit of their countries to provide them with flavor and tradition," said Goya's Executive Chef, Fernando Desa.

This is translated from what he told WKBW in Spanish: "Bien contento de traerle a todos os países un cantito de su país aquí en los Estados Unidos, y darle sabor y tradición a sus casas."

"There's been Colombians, Puerto Ricans, Americans... everyone is enjoying," said Goya General Manager, Carlos Pereira.

This is translated from what he told WKBW in Spanish: "Han venido Colombianos, Puertorriqueños, Americanos... todo el mundo está disfrutando!"

"The Hispanic community here is a very proud one," said President of Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, Casimiro Rodriguez Sr. "Proud of their origin and heritage."

This is translated from what he told WKBW in Spanish: "La comunidad aquí Hispana es una comunidad muy orgullosa. Bien orgullosa de sus raíces... de su herencia."

He added there are approximately 45,000 people that make up the Hispanic community. This is the second year this even takes place.

Mayor Byron Brown was also in attendance and proclaimed September 3rd as Goya Foods and Chef Fernando Desa Day.

Organizers hope to make this an annual celebration.