Oregon Public Broadcasting

We're all familiar with tradeshows and conventions for brides. Now, Latino girls have their own show to help them plan their coming-of-age event. It’s a Quinceañera convention.

Richland correspondent Anna King explores the convergence of Latino traditions and American commercialism.

Ana Mendoza: "Cool"

Maria Mendoza: "I know. And then it has this seat in the back."

Meet Ana and Maria Mendoza. Twins, age 14. They’re checking out a thumping stretch Hummer for their upcoming Quinceañera. It’s shiny black and the ride can hold more than 20 people. Perfect.

Ana and Maria Mendoza, 14-year-old twins from Kennewick, Washington, check out some dresses for their upcoming Quinceañera celebration.

Ana Mendoza: "This is my first time in a limo."

The girls are at one of the Northwest’s first Quinceañera Conventions. This one’s in Pasco. There was one in Bellevue a few weeks ago. The conventions drew thousands of moms and dads being tugged about by their young daughters like Ana and Maria.

A Quinceañera is similar to a Bat Mitzvah or a sweet 16 party say the twins.

Maria & Ana Mendoza: "It symbolizes a young lady becoming a woman. They are leaving the little dolls behind like the Barbie’s. They are not going to play with those anymore. They are leaving them behind and becoming more mature."

Think of a wedding without the groom. Some even have a church ceremony where the girls promise to stay virgins until they are married.

Ana and Maria’s Quinceañera is going to be big -- 300 guests. It’ll cost $10,000. That’s more than what the girls’ parents paid for their wedding. The twins translate for their mom, Ana Mendoza. Who says the party is important for her as well.

Ana Mendoza: "She wants us to have the Quinceañera that she never had."

Models show off some of the latest Quinceañera fashions at a recent convention in Pasco, Washington. The coming of age events are becoming more extravagant as Latinos become more affluent.

So how is it that a backyard tradition has become so huge? The Northwest’s Latino community has come of age too. Big Quinceañeras are based in traditions, but they’ve grown as Latinos pocket books have.

Girls are renting out hotels, hiring bands and getting new cars for presents.

Blanca Torres is the trade show organizer. She says a popular TV show has also amped up the pressure on parents to throw a big party.

Blanca Torres: "MTV has this huge show called My Super Sweet 16. But they have a lot of Quinceañeras that they also show on that. Of course they elaborate. And always show these super well off families and how they celebrate these two different celebrations."

But even Torres admits it comes at a high cost. Take the Mendoza family. The girls’ mother works sorting fruit in a warehouse. The father builds commercial roofs. Torres hopes that families like this will hang on to the roots of the Quinceañera.

Blanca Torres: "I would hope that as much as we do this that we keep the traditions alive. We keep the church ceremony always and what that means at the church ceremonies and those promises. Those beautiful father and daughter moments at the reception."

But for the moment, the girls are more concerned about watching the convention’s fashion show and planning the perfect party. They still need a makeup artist, hair stylist, flowers, cake, dress, crown, tuxedos, table decorations, photographer.