Festival Salutes Puerto Ricans

Kenny Luciano readies a coco frio (chilled coconut) to cool a customer on a sultry Sunday at Festival de San Juan Bautista. By RICH SHOPES The Tampa Tribune Published: June 30, 2008 Updated: BRANDON - BRANDON - Sunday's Puerto Rican heritage festival had all the ingredients of a Latin celebration in late June: Salsa and meringue music; favorite foods, such as empanadas and arepas; vendors selling bracelets, T-shirts and flags; and sweltering heat reminiscent of the Caribbean in summer. With afternoon temperatures hovering in the 90s, many who showed up at the festival ended up turning around, promising to come back when the sun had set and the mercury had descended a few notches. Still, about 200 braved the muggy temperatures at the First Hispanic Baptist Church grounds on Taylor Road to hear musical favorites such as "Los... [read full story]