SCRANTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Scranton park celebrated culture, community, and connection Saturday morning. Dozens of families, along with several local churches, came together through food, faith, and fun.
Hola Scranton was not just about free tacos, basket raffles, and fun activities. The annual Hispanic festival brought churches, volunteers, and families together to spread kindness across the Wyoming Valley.
"We spend a lot of time on our tablets and phones, and we need to get back to playing in the park. It's a nice day to play together, it's important to bring your kids and your family," Iglesia Electric City Pastor Pablo Gutierrez told 28/22 News.
Pastor Gutierrez is the leader of Iglesia Electric City. His church was one of several to help organize the event.
More than 500 volunteers from 45 churches helped make events like this possible across the region.
"Family is something that's very important to them, and that's really important to us as a church. We want people to feel like it's their family," Lauren Gutierrez from Scott Township said.
His wife, Lauren, was thrilled to see the turnout of families crowding Weston Field.
Part of Route 309 closed in Schuylkill County
They shared food, played games, and picked out free clothing and shoes.
The church's mission was to connect people to housing and language resources, create a thriving environment for children, and strengthen the community.
"Kids enjoy it, especially the young ones," Clarks Summit resident Cesar Mainato stated.
"It's super fun. They're getting their face painted, eating snacks, doing games. We're doing a lot of butterflies, watermelon, fun, summery things," Bindi Weiland from Clarion said.
For many, the joy went far deeper than food or fun.
"Because as a church, we aren't just our church separate from every other church. As Christians, we are the body of Christ, we're one family," Lauren added.
"We just want to be like Jesus to the community. I think the community needs a lot of laughter and joy, and that's what the church is here to do," Baptist Resource Network Executive Director Barry Whitwrth said.
Organizers say Saturday's event was just one of many happening across the region, all aimed at giving back and building stronger communities through faith and service.
