Some came for tacos, some for the music and others for the fun family-friendly activities. Whatever their reason, festival-goers found plenty to enjoy Saturday at Muhlenberg Township’s Spring Fiesta.
The daylong celebration of Latino culture filled the township’s Jim Dietrich Park with the sounds of live music, the aroma of food-truck fare and activities for all ages.
The free festival featured more than two dozen food vendors serving everything from tacos, quesadillas and other Mexican specialties to stuffed pretzels, hot dogs, lemonade and frozen treats. There also was beer, wine and margaritas for adults wishing to imbibe.
Rio Bossa entertains in the shad during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Bands performed a mix of Latin, salsa, reggae and contemporary music while food vendors, artisans and community organizations welcomed visitors in a field near the center of the park.
The festival, now in its eighth year, encourages people to spend time together in the park, said Kelly Gorski, recreation programs supervisor for the township.
“It’s really designed for the families in Muhlenberg and beyond to kind of spend the day together,” she said. “We love our parks. We want everyone to be in our parks and use them.”
The event started as a food-truck festival and grew in scope over the years.
Jorge Torres of the band Rio Bossa from Easton performs on the guitar during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
But make no mistake, food was still one of the biggest attractions.
“We came for the tacos,” said Joseph Martin of Denver, who attended the event with his wife, Lisa, and their daughter Ella, 2.
The couple said their plate full of folded and stuffed tortillas was still too hot to sample, but judging by the reactions of friends at their table, they expected a tasty meal.
Joseph and Lisa Martin of Ephrata enjoy food with their daughter Ellen, 2, during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township, (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
While many visitors spent the afternoon sampling food, younger attendees found plenty of attractions of their own.
Children gravitated toward the Kids Zone, where bounce houses, giant bubbles and piñatas kept youngsters entertained throughout the afternoon.
The children’s area was sponsored by Living Word Fellowship Church, which rents space from Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in the township.
“We’re a new church,” said Deb Goodman, the church’s administrative assistant. “We just planted here in Muhlenberg in March.”
Zoe Wenrich, 2, blows bubbles with her sister Presley, 10. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Goodman said the congregation sponsored the children’s area for the second consecutive year as a community outreach.
“It’s a good way to meet people and serve the community because it’s a free event from the township,” she said.
Among the most anticipated kids’ attractions, were the piñatas, scheduled intermittently over the course of the 10-hour festival.
The first, at 1 p.m., drew about 20 children who waited patiently for a turn at whacking the brightly decorated papier-mache container with a stick.
Brother and sister Jace and Ariana O’Brien delivered the successful blows, spilling the treats onto the grass, where scrambling children quickly scooped them up.
The boy, 8, and his sister, 10, enjoyed the festival with their parents, Jonathan and Theresa O’Brien of Leesport and Ariana’s friend Aubrey Kirtner, 11, of Mohrsville.
Christian Vasquez, 16, tries some bull riding during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
On the opposite side of the field, a mechanical bull added a challenge for adventurous attendees.
Christian Vasquez, 16, was among the first to test his balance on the amusement designed to simulate riding a bucking bull. Although he held on tightly, it took just minutes before he was thrown off, landing on the inflatable safety mat.
“It was harder than I expected,” he said, smiling. “It kept trying to throw me off the side.”
Vasquez and his family recently moved from New York and made settlement on a home in the township last week. The family said the festival was a great introduction to the community and a way to meet new people.
Gorski said events such as Spring Fiesta are intended to bring the community together while showcasing the township’s parks and recreational amenities.
“Everything is free, free parking, free admission, free to just come and grab a chair, sit down, listen to music,” she said. “We’d like you to support our vendors who are here, obviously, but there’s no obligation.”
Jorge Torres of the band Rio Bossa from Easton performs on the guitar during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Zoe Wenrich, 2, blows bubbles with her sister Presley, 10. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Jace O’Brien, 8, of Leesport takes a mighty swing at the pinata during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Rio Bossa entertains in the shad during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Christian Vasquez, 16, tries some bull riding during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Allyssa Allen of the band Rio Bossa from Easton sings during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Michelle Wade of Exeter Township watches the prize wheel spin in the booth for Living Word Fellowship, 170 Tuckerton Road during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Joseph and Lisa Martin of Ephrata enjoy food with their daughter Ellen, 2, during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township, (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Children rush to pick up candy from the broken pinata during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Alyssa Allen and Jorge Torres of the band Rio Bossa from Easton perform during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
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Jorge Torres of the band Rio Bossa from Easton performs on the guitar during the Spring Fiesta at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)