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Latino Festival serves as cultural showcase
WASHINGTON — The eighth annual Latino Festival over the weekend went well, despite early morning weather concerns and a change of date from previous years.
“We started back in 2014, we’re so happy to see you all here,” said Masters of Ceremonies Manny Galvez and Bethany Glinsmann, each in a different language, in an opening speech. “We are so proud about the Latino culture, but also we are so excited to share with everybody, about our traditions, our food or dance or music, everything.”
Latinos for Washington President and Co-founder Sonia Leyva said turnout looked good.
“I’m in charge of kids activities, and there’s not quite as many kids as last year, but that’s OK, the ones that are here are having a blast,” she said. “Overall it’s doing great, there’s been people in and out since 11 a.m.”
Organizers said weather was holding out, despite downpours that persisted until shortly before festivities officially began.
“We’re happy and blessed that the weather has been cooperating,” Latinos for Washington Co-founder and Event Organizer Jackie Arreola said. “Unfortunately we had one of the performances cancel on us … but I feel like the lineup we have for entertainment, it’s coming along absolutely perfect. I feel that it’s part of a festival that sometimes you do have unexpected things happen.”
Arreola said the daylong event was a great showcase of the community’s culture.
“We need to get our name and who we are in a positive way,” she said. “What better way than to come and learn about Latino culture through food, music, activities and events?”
That exchange grows ever more important as the community grows, according to Arreola.
“Latino culture is growing, it’s the biggest minority in the USA, and we also have the biggest number of small business openings,” she said. “So there’s a lot of stuff going on that needs to be visible and people need to learn about it.”
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
Olivia Atilano (left) and Esme Atilano (right) participate in the Latino Festival's traditional dress contest. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Masked lucha libre fighters tumble and throw one another across the stage with a dazzling mix of highflying maneuvers at Washington's 2022 Latino Festival. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
A lucha libre wrestler is flipped from the top rope during his match in Washington's central square. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
A lucha libre wrestler prepares to jump from the top rope of a ring set up in Washington's square for Latino Festival (Kalen McCain/The Union)
The crowd counts down a pin by lucha libre wrestlers during a dramatic back and forth at Washington's Latino Festival (Kalen McCain/The Union)
From left, Yoni Perez and Andrés Herrera, members of the Parranderos Latín Combo (PLC,) put their all into a handful of solos for the eighth annual Latino Festival's closing event. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Masters of Ceremonies Manny Galvez (left) and Bethany Glinsmann (middle) introduce State Sen. Kevin Kinney for an opening speech at the Latino Festival. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
