ORLANDO, Fla. -- Here are five things you should know about Orlando's Puerto Rican festival, La Sanse.
1. Largest Puerto Rican Festival in Florida
La Sanse is touted as the largest Puerto Rican festival in Florida and the 4th largest in the nation. “This event is going to smell like Puerto Rico and it's going to sound like Puerto Rico,” event co-producer Jan Michael Ramery said.
2. Thousands Attend the Festival
20,000 people are expected both days this weekend.
3. Celebration Dates Back to 1954
The festival is a celebration of the one that started back in 1954 in San Juan. La Fiesta de la Calle San Sebastian has unofficially become the bookend of the Christmas season in Puerto Rico.
4. Replica of a Famous Door in San Juan
At Sanse, Puerto Ricans will recognize a replica of one of the most famous doors in San Juan. "In La Calle de San Sebastian, there is an abandoned building and someone, many years ago, came and painted a flag on the door,” Ramery said. “People started taking pictures with it." There’s also a country cottage, another selfie station. “We do something called chinchorreo. We visit places like that to eat and to have a drink."
5. Admission to the Event is Free
La Sanse Takes Orlando is Jan. 19-20 at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. Admission is free.
For more information, visit sansetakesorlando.com.