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Community Corner

Fiesta Tropical in Middlefield

Fiesta visitors and vendors from across Central Connecticut attended the all day event, held at Victory Christian Church (VCC) in Middlefield, as a fundraiser for the upcoming Humanitarian Aid/Mission to Columbia.

Promotions of the Gran Fiesta event, done on regional Patch sites proved effective. Scores of people spent the afternoon listening to music and enjoying other live entertainment on the Main Stage. Frank Frazier of Durham, dressed as 'Cedric', emceed the Main Stage.

Although temperatures soared into the mid nineties, the crowd remained. Tents erected by Connecticut Rental of Middletown, for the rain or shine event provided relief from the 'tropical' sun.

Amongst food offerings was the popular melt in your mouth pig roast. Chefs slept overnight on the grounds, roasting several pigs to create pulled pork sandwiches and pork/rice platters. Hamburgers, hot-dogs, fried dough, cotton candy, and nachos were also hits. Snow cones and smoothies, from the permanently fixed VCC Java Bar were very popular ways to find relief from the heat.

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Children enjoyed free pony rides, pinatas, creating sand art, and searching for hidden beanie fish in a scavenger hunt. The inflatables were popular with both children and teens.

Teens thoroughly enjoyed the Ultimate Gaming Trailer, brought to the grounds by Brian Albes. The gaming trailer offers concurrent gaming to 24 persons at a time. Brian said that his unit is heated in the winter, air conditioned in the summer, is self-contained and operates with his generator. Anyone interested in more information can call 203-380-1655.

Find out what's happening in Durham-Middlefieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Inside the building, thousands of tickets were purchased for the mega raffle, consisting of donated items. Included in the raffle were items such as a TV, gift certificates of all types, paintings done by many talented artists who attend VCC, hand crafted jewelry and pottery, and numerous other items.

Outdoor vendors included 14 year old Christina Vensel, of Southington. At a young age, she already shows promise with her entrepreneurial spirit. She is the founder of Integrity Duct Tape, and is banking most of her money for a car and college. "I donate 10% at least, for projects that we do at my church. I attend The Tablernacle in Southington."   Christina is the niece of VCC Pastors Pete and Debbie Leal. Her wares can be found on Facebook.

Vendors also included Robin and Terry Grant, owners of Terry's Energy in Berlin

;  Jay St. Jean of Absolute Auto in Berlin

; and Santo Gilulino, an independent broker for William Raveis realty. 

At the close of the event, VCC Pastor Peter Leal told Patch "This was a great success! We've raised thousands for Columbia! We're going to make this an annual event, and maybe pick a different country to aid each summer!" For more information on ways you can get involved in humanitarian aid and missions efforts, contact the church at 860-346-6771.

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