Locals Love Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT)The Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado is no longer a best kept secret.

The beloved church has hosted the Mercado during Fiesta for years.

Friday was the first day of the 3-day Mercado that includes music, dancing and food made by the best cooks in the congregation.

There’s also a White Elephant sale, a raffle and games.

"I always come every year to celebrate Fiesta at Our Lady of Guadalupe, I love the food, the music, the culture, the atmosphere," said Bianca Walters.

"The best thing about it is seeing everybody who comes every year, it is about tradition and it is about family,"said Anthony Rodriguez, who works with the church.

California State Senator Monique Limón bought food to take home.

"I have been doing this since I was a little kid, I grew up here on the Eastside and this is just absolutely amazing food, amazing volunteers, amazing community."

Anthony Gonzalez / likes the games "I like playing the games because you don't know if you are going to win," said Anthony Gonzalez, "Viva La Fiesta."

All the money raised helps the church help the community .

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado is on the corner of Nopal and Montecito Streets in Santa Barbara.

It runs through Sunday evening.