Tens of thousands of people flocked to the Cirsto Rey church in Lansing this weekend, but it wasn't just for a Sunday service. Instead, it's the annual Cristo Rey fiesta. Crowds from all over mid-Michigan headed to Lansing to celebrate Memorial day weekend at the three day event.
Some fiesta-goers, like Lidia Decker, say they have fallen in love with the atmosphere of the fiesta but can't decide exactly what they love most.
"Everything," says Decker, "there's not one dull moment here. There's always something happening. If it's not selling things, it's buying things, and I'm a shopper!"
In addition to shopping there is also authentic Mexican food, tons of music and dancing, and plenty of people to speak Spanish with.
For Decker, the opportunity to speak her native language was one of her favorite parts. But Decker also found a lot of pleasure in the food.
Hundreds of volunteers come together for the church to make the authentic Mexican cuisine, and it's clear how much fiesta-goers enjoy it.
The combination of all of these have made it feel like a home for some, like Jose Garza.
"To me it's kind of like a family reunion," says Garza. "We get to see our family from all over, people out of town, friends."
And that atmosphere leads to some happy fiesta-goers.
"I just like to come where everybody's happy and having a good time. I just like to be where there's fun," says Decker.
The fiesta came to a close Sunday and the money from the three-day fundraising event goes to the Cristo Rey Church.
