If you spend as much time as I do at the Walgreen’s at Royal and Abrams, you may have gotten to know the friendly pharmacy tech named Erica Thlang. If you’re wondering why she hasn’t been her normal, sunshiney self over the past few days, it’s not that toddler son, Ryu, she’s so proud of. She’s been moonlighting at the State Fair of Texas.

Erica helps out this time of year in the family business. Her dad, Rafael Luna, and her stepmom, Cindy Benavides, own CR Strategic Events, a special events planning company which puts on Mundo Latino. The celebration of cultures, in its 17th year, draws almost 100,000 people and features food, music, dance and educational programs from artists and organizations from around the Latin world. Mexico, Spain, Central America and South America are represented, along with Hispanics from the United States.

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Each year the theme is different, and this year the focus is “Silver: Mexico’s Most Precious Mineral.” The exhibit is held in the Women’s Museum, 3800 Parry Avenue.

Strategic Events also hosts other events, including Latino Bridal and Quinceanera Expos, Festival Latino at Six Flags over Texas and a Family Fiesta Health Fair at Mi Escuelita Preschool. Strategic Events’ offices are located on Greenville Avenue near the Shops at Park Lane.