Photos by Randall L. Schieber
The largest Latin event in Ohio returns for a special occasion this weekend. Commemorating its 20th anniversary, Festival Latino will host a variety of acts and activities for guests to enjoy.
Special performances will be held on the festival’s main stage. Guests can experience a variety of musical acts presenting a mixture of Latin-based styles and even a Latin fashion show. Additional main attractions will include DJ Cale, who will be providing his signature Caribbean and Latin sound from the main stage throughout the festival. The special festival host will be B. A-Star from Tercera Generation.
The festival’s dance plaza will hold demonstrations of Latin dances for guests to learn. The Salsamente Dance Academy, Columbus’ first and only salsa dance studio, will be teaching the dance. Dayton-area dance company Grupo Caribe will demonstrate Puerto Rican dances while Toledo company El Corazon de Mexico Ballet Folklorico will perform traditional Mexican dances.
The festival is child-friendly and offers many special activities. Kids can learn how to create Mexican flowers, receive fun balloon twisters and learn about local animals from Columbus Metro Parks. Some special attractions will include COSI’s Science Spot, a traveling exhibition that helps kids learn about science, and the Scioto Mile Fountain, a 15,000 sq. ft. fountain with more than a thousand jets of water and interactive features for kids to play with.
These activities will be available from noon to 6 p.m. at the American Family Insurance Children’s Area. There will be no charge for any of the activities. Additionally, there will be a Creation Station with hands on activities designed for the whole family and mascots from various Columbus sports teams making appearances
The festival will include both an artists’ and authors’ showcase. The artist showcase will highlight Ohio-based Latin artists Abraham Cordova, Diana Maria Fusco and Natalia Sanchez along with their artwork. The author’s showcase will display and sell the work of Latin writers Ani Palacios, Silvia Carrillo Rodriguez and Willema Wong.
Health & awareness & community resources
The Health & Awareness area will host a variety of local health and social service organizations. Presented by The Ohio Commission on Minority Health, the area will offer bilingual information on the services they offer. Organizations involved are Columbus Public Health, Mount Carmel Health System, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and more than a dozen more. Similarly, the Community Resources area will offer information about local education and community programs, including the Salvation Army, Ohio Hispanic Coalition, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and more.
In addition to the main events, the festival will feature a variety of food vendors, offering guests a diverse range of Latin American food. Also featured will be the Festival Latino marketplace, which will sell traditional items from Latin America, including jewelry, arts and crafts.
Festival Latino is a rain or shine event and will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on August 13 and 14. The event is traditionally held in Genoa Park but due to construction it will instead be held in Bicentennial Park.
Lindsey Capritta is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
