CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Saturday, the sights and sounds of Puerto Rico filled South Park as part of the annual Puerto Rican Festival.

• Traditional Puerto Rican dishes, dancing and music was a part of the celebration
• Event fell nearly one year after Hurricane Maria
• Donations can be made to help relief efforts

There was music, traditional Puerto Rican food and dancing. 

For some people, the festival was more than a party. The festival came nearly one year after Hurricane Maria destroyed Puerto Rico. 

Many people at the festival are from Puerto Rico or still have family there.

Nelson Nieves says most of his family still lives in Puerto Rico, and says even though the storm destroyed the land, it couldn't break their spirits. 

"We're still here. We're strong, and we're going to be better than ever," Nieves says. "Puerto Ricans as a people, we are super strong. We take care of our families and friends, and we're going to come back from this better than ever."

The Puerto Rican Cultural Society of Charlotte is still accepting monetary donations to help with hurricane relief efforts. For more on how you can help, click here.