SAN DIEGO – For Lina Salazar of Barrio Logan, it was the music that drew her to yesterday's Encanto Street Fair & Cultural Arts Festival.

“I especially came for Jenni Rivera,” Salazar said of the traditional Mexican singer. “She's really good.”

For some folks, such as Russell Greve and Devon Wright of Santee, the main attraction of the neighborhood festival was the food. Funnel cakes, hot link sausages, roasted corn on the cob, barbecued ribs and nachos were just some of the savory options to choose from.

For still other fair-goers, such as Sandra Ledezma of Encanto, the festival was simply an opportunity to spend a sunny afternoon strolling the Southeast San Diego street with neighbors and friends.

“This is my fourth year coming here. It's always a lot of fun to see everyone,” Ledezma said.

People's reasons for attending the 16th annual festival were as diverse as the community of Encanto.

“This has always been a real multicultural event. We've tried to make the fair as inclusive as possible and integrate the whole population of Encanto in this festival,” said James Smith, chairman of the festival. “We're one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the county, with African-Americans, Mexicans, whites and Samoans all living together. That's what you see reflected at this festival.”

The fair stretched along Imperial Avenue from 65th to 68th streets, with stages at either end featuring jazz, blues, R&B, gospel and Mexican music. Vendors selling political T-shirts, model cars, hair products, Indian wrap skirts and more lined one side of the street while food booths and a beer garden occupied the other. Children were entertained in the kids zone with rides, face painting, clowns and games.

The fair began in 1992 as little more than a big block party. As local pride and enthusiasm grew, so did the festival, which has become a daylong event.

“What makes our street fair so special is that we showcase local talent alongside world-renowned artists,” Smith said. “We have a lot of talent in our community and we like to put it on display.”

Besides Rivera, Lenny Williams of Tower of Power and San Diego blues icon Lady Star were featured at yesterday's event.

Although this year's festival was a bit smaller and more condensed than some in the past, festival coordinator Letitia Ramirez said she expected yesterday's attendance to top last year's at 42,000.

“We didn't have all the Mexican music last year. We didn't have Jenni Rivera,” Ramirez said. “I think this year's festival may be our best one yet.”