Under blue skies on Saturday, May 21, islanders of all ages thronged to “Como La Flor,” a marketplace of Latino arts, music and culture presented by Comunidad Latina de Vashon.

The Mercado — the fourth to be presented by the Vashon group championing Latino arts, culture, youth and families on Vashon — took place in the spacious parking lot of the J.T. Sheffield Building, which was filled with colorful flags and brightly festooned vendor booths.

A DJ held court in the center of it all, playing music that spanned a vibrant mix of beats and melodies from throughout Latin America.

The market offered a foodie’s dream — a chance to sample hearty dishes and sweets from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti — succulent chicken and rice dishes, tacos, tamales, delicious baked goods and spiced fruits, and other delectable treats. A crowd favorite? The Salvadoran pupusas — thick corn cakes, filled with beans and cheese, cooked on a hot griddle and then topped with salsa roja and Salvadoran cabbage slaw.

In the middle of the afternoon, kids and adults alike were called to a huge piñata, which didn’t take long for the eager children to smash to smithereens. A crowd swarmed in to claim the candy that spilled on the ground — just another sweet, exuberant moment in a day that celebrated community at its finest.