ATLANTA – The annual Hispanic Festival, a highlight of early autumn, drew crowds to the grounds of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish on Oct. 8 and 9. Archbishop John F. Donoghue attended Saturday afternoon. He spoke briefly, blessed those present and strolled around the colorful area.

A lively variety of native foods, entertainment and games were offered on the large field below IHM School. Festival attendees entered through the school, pausing in the gym to give reverent attention to native altars honoring the Mother of God. Each altar was lovingly decorated with flowers, banners and small artifacts to inform or remind people of the country’s culture.

The stage drew a large audience eager to be entertained by colorfully-garbed singers and dancers performing their native music. Booths around the grounds invited everyone to try native food specialties.

Between seven and eight thousand people attended the festival over the two days, according to Gonzalo Saldana, head of the Hispanic Apostolate of the archdiocese.

Saldana regretted the inconvenience caused because of a change in parking and bus location. This year, as flyers directed, many people went to the Kmart on Clairmont Road to park their cars and board buses to the festival. However, the parking location had been changed to the nearby Century Center. He offered his sincere apologies to those frustrated and unaware of the change, who could not attend.

He said the festival is one way the Apostolate tries to “emphasize the unity of the Hispanic people under the umbrella of the Catholic Church.”