MILWAUKEE — Hundreds of people enjoyed the Puerto Rican Family Festival Sunday afternoon at Wilson Park.
"This is what we do. We connect, we dance, we break bread," event attendee Lucia Lozagalezewski said.
From the music to the lines of people waiting for food, people were happy to gather and enjoy the culture.
But, in the midst of all the fun health officials were front and center offering a vaccine to everyone. And, with COVID cases on the rise, they're meeting people where they are to ensure everyone has access to the vaccine.
"Our numbers have continued to climb probably since July. We're not in a good place in the city," said Kirsten Johnson, Milwaukee Public Health Commissioner
Johnson said offering vaccines at festivals and huge community gatherings is crucial.
Elijah Cruz came to the festival not expecting to get vaccinated but said he's grateful it was available for him to get his first shot.
"It's nice they're offering this thing," Cruz said. "People like me walking around will say 'let me get the vaccine.'"
He believes his family members will also get vaccinated after seeing him get the shot.
The Hispanic population in Milwaukee is only about 36% full vaccinated. Johnson said a door-knocking campaign started earlier this week to get that number up.
"We are moving in the right direction with our Latinx communities and we want to continue to get vaccines in arms.
As cases continue to rise Johnson said they are rushing to get more people in the city vaccinated.
"We are looking at incentives in the coming weeks to get people who haven't been vaccinated or who have barriers in," Johnson said.
Details about those incentives will be forthcoming.