The 15th Annual Festival Latino kicked off this morning at Genoa Park, next to COSI. The event showcases the city’s wide array of Latin American culture, cuisine, music, dance and more. The free event runs from 11am to 8pm both today and tomorrow.
“It’s basically the same format as last year with the main music stage down on the river, the dance plaza, the vendors and the children’s area,” said Festival Coordinator & Programming Director Rich Corsi. “We have Ohio-based artists & international headliners, salsa lessons and demonstrations, and our children’s activities have been doubled due to the overwheleming family turnout last year.”
2009 marked the first year that the festival was produced by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) and around 20,000 people attended over the course of the two day event.
“We have an advisory board and a steering committee and we’ve included folks from the Latino community to help reach out and include everyone in the process,” explained Corsi. “So by no means is this simply just CAPA producing this festival. We would not be able to do this without the hard work of the entire community.”
The wide variety of Latin cuisine available at the festival is always a draw for many people, and this year’s lineup includes vendors serving Puerto Rican, Colombian, Mexican, Venezuelan offerings and more.
“Last year El Manantial Latino, who does Columbian Food, did extremely well,” said Corsi. “I swear they had a line at least 10 to 15 people deep during the entire festival. Their food is just amazing. All the vendors we’re working with are top notch and offer incredible food.”
Attendance at Festival Latino is expected to grow this year to possibly 23,000 to 25,000 people.
“I think in the near future we’re going to have to expand the festival again due to the overwhelming response,” said Corsi. “We’re not quite at the point just yet, but the Latino community has really embraced this event and it’s going to continue to grow.”
Festival Latino 2010 takes place Saturday August 14 and Sunday August 15 from 11am to 8pm both days. Admission is free. More information can be found at FestivalLatino.net.