Linda Sanchez, residente en Tyler, de 45 años, posa con su marido Oscar Sanchez, de 49, en el Andina Fest el sábado. (Raquel Villatoro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

People waved flags representing their own cultures as they hit the dance floor during La Hora Loca, or the crazy hour, at the Third Annual Andina Fest on Saturday. Colorful balloons, sunglasses, flags from Latin America and around the world hung above the Tyler Rose Garden Center as people danced.

“I love La Hora Loca,” said Mireya Hicks, who has lived in Tyler for 25 years and is originally from Ecuador. “I love sharing with people of different nationalities. I get to meet new people every time I come (to Andina Fest).”

Four South American women founded Andina Fest to celebrate and showcase their South American roots. The co-founders are from different countries in South America: Nury Burnett, from Chile, Tahidi Madriz, from Venezuela, Nadia Aragon, from Peru, and Lorena Rebagliati, from Argentina.

“It’s like bringing a piece of Latin America to Tyler,” Rebagliati said. “You don’t have to travel to live a bit of your country here in East Texas. For at least a few hours, it’s like being back over there.”

The Latino community has grown in Tyler, Rabagliati said. When she first came to Tyler, 22 years ago, there were not many South Americans, also called Andinos.

“In these last few years, there has been an increase of people from Colombia, Venezuela and Peru,” Rebagliati said.

At Andina Fest, Lemon Yellow Latin Bites provides a taste of Venezuelan food through serving tequeños and other foods. In addition, Tia Lucha served Mexican food.

People listened to live music and enjoy a playlist with a range of music genres including salsa, merengue, Argentinian rock and more. As part of planning Andina Fest, organizers give the DJ a playlist with curated music.

For Rebagliati, being able to show her kids what a Latin party is like has been important to her. She enjoys dancing with them.

“To be able to dance these songs with my kids has been emotional to do here in Tyler,” Rebagliati said.

People came to Andina Fest from Houston, Dallas, Shreveport, Longview, Lindale, and Mineola. There were attendees representing Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru and Argentina.

Whitehouse residents and married couple Octavio Téllez and Melissa Tellez came to Andina Fest for the first time to enjoy the festivities. Octavio, who is from Mexico, enjoyed being able to connect with others from Mexico and Central America.

“It is lovely,” Octavio said. “Because when you first come from Mexico, the majority of people (you meet) who are Hispanic are second, third or fourth generation… But meeting people from Mexico, from Central America… you feel you identify more.”

Although they had heard about Andina Fest, in previous years they missed the festivities because they were out of town on vacation. At this year’s event, they enjoyed the live music and food from Latin America.

“I like it a lot,” said Melissa, who is originally from Waco but lived in Mexico City for some time with her husband. “It’s very fun and with many people from all over the world.”

People of all ages danced and celebrated at Andina Fest.

Dakaisa and Juan Luis Canta provided live entertainment after La Hora Loca. Earlier in the evening, Tyler resident Fabiola Caraballo sang “Estoy Aquí” by Shakira, “Evidencia” by Ana Gabriel, “La Cigarra” by Linda Ronstadt, “Mi Tierra” by Gloria Etefan and “Mujeres” by Ricardo Arjona.

Angela Bermudez, business owner of K con Kaseres, loves Andina Fest because it is an event for all ages. People do not have to drink alcohol to have fun, Bermudez said. For Bermudez, being at Andina Fest is important to support the efforts to bring the Latino community together. She loves dancing to salsa and merengue and enjoys the environment of the festival.

“It’s the emotion of the energy of everyone that’s present here,” Bermudez said. “I like it. I have fun. It relaxes me. It reactivates my energy and overall it makes me feel like I am back in my country for a bit.”

Tyler resident Linda Sanchez, 45, has been coming to Andina Fest since it started. She loves supporting organizers’ efforts to bring more Latin American culture to Tyler. During La Hora Loca, Sanchez danced with her husband Oscar Sanchez, 49.

“To be able to live together and enjoy together what it means to be Latino, I love it,” Linda said.

Both Linda and Oscar are Mexican. Oscar has lived in Tyler for 32 years. Linda grew up in Chapel Hill and said hers was the only Hispanic family growing up.

Oscar is glad Andina Fest exists for people to enjoy themselves and have fun safely. He is glad there is a space for people from Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and other parts of South America can come and celebrate together.

“It’s something that was missing here in Tyler,” Oscar said.