ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Smells of good food and vibrant music filled the air in Ithaca on Saturday for the Third Annual Heritage Fiesta. The Latino Civic Association and Yen Ospina, the president of the organization and a local Columbian-American artist, organized the event for all to attend.

The event showcased Latino culture in the Ithaca and Tompkins County areas. Ospina calls the fiesta, "a way to celebrate culture, heritage, and each other."

"So this is an opportunity to have everybody that is just trying to find connection within their community because there aren't a lot of community events specifically tailored to Hispanic and Latino people," said Ospina. "So we were just very ambitious and we decided to create our own."

Last year, the event was held in Press Bay Alley with an attendance of over 400 people. So, to accommodate the large crowd size, the event shifted to the Press Bay parking lot for this year's celebration.

Ospina worked with Stacy Dimas, the LCA, and a variety of other artists, vendors, and organizations to put everything together. Dimas says they also worked to implement a variety of resources in the area that are not only for Latinos but the broader community as well.

"It's an important opportunity," said Senator Lea Webb who attended the fiesta. "Community is for everyone. We all benefit when we all work together. There's no loss in that, and so it's important that, as a community, we support the rich diversity of everyone's cultures. We are, as a nation, as they often say, a melting pot."

Some people in the local Latino community agree that people can benefit from learning about each other's culture. Other attendees and artists say events like these are a great way to do so.

"I want people to know that Latino people are courageous, inspiring, passionate, creative people and we have so much to offer and this is -- if you come here you can see the music, the vibe, the energy, the art," said Francine Rivera Reynolds, the owner of Fall Creek Atelier. "It's all a reflection of our passion and energy."

Organizers were pleased with the fiesta's turnout and say they will continue to make each year bigger and better than ever as they celebrate their heritage. The Latino Civic Association also encourages those who want to help serve the Latino community here in Tompkins County to reach out to them and volunteer whenever you can.

You can find all of that information and more on the Latino Civic Association's website.

Additionally, there is one more event left in the organization's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. An Argentinian puppeteer performance will take place at the Kitchen Theatre on October 26th at 2:30 P.M. and October 27th at 10:30 A.M. If you'd like to attend, you can also reserve a spot on the LCA's website.