The Southern Virginia Latino Association will host its 6th annual Festival Latino of Southern Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Patrick & Henry Community College.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the West Hall building.
Festival Planning Committee Chairman Eli Salgado said the festival is an opportunity to celebrate Latino culture and connect people with local resources.
“For organizations to basically let people know about the resources, the services that they provide since we often know that there’s many organizations that want to do outreach to the Latino community,” he said.
Salgado said the event benefits both the community and participating groups.
“It’s a win-win for everybody since everyone in the community can take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about local organizations, first responders, and academic institutions,” he said.
The festival is family-friendly and open to all.
“It’s a safe environment where everyone is welcome. We noticed that over the years more and more people from different segments of the community have assisted and they seem to really enjoy themselves,” Salgado said. “They engage with the vendors, we’ve noticed that they really sit down and enjoy the performances, the music. They take their kids, so they know it’s a family-friendly event.”
The festival will be held rain or shine. If weather permits, activities will be outside near West Hall and the adjacent parking lot. If it rains, the event will move indoors.
More than 60 vendors are scheduled to participate, and organizers expect more than 1,000 attendees.
Authentic Mexican restaurants setting up at the festival include La Juquilita and Asador El Vergel of Collinsville, and Taqueria La G and El Jinete of Danville.
Other food options will include Empanadas Meraki of Blacksburg, a Colombian restaurant offering empanadas, arepas, and buñuelos; Gustitos Boricuas with Puerto Rican pastries; and Daintea Cafe and Boba.
In addition to food and vendors, live music and a DJ will provide entertainment throughout the day. A ballet folklorico troupe will also return to perform traditional Mexican dances.
“They’ll be performing again this year like they did last year, which is pretty much a traditional folklore Mexican dance,” Salgado said.
The group is also seeking English/Spanish bilingual interpreters to volunteer at the event.
Sponsors include Sarver Properties/Sarver Cleaning Services, Danville Pediatric Dentistry, Florecitas Company, Meches Beauty, and others.
For more information, to request an accommodation, or to volunteer as an interpreter, contact Salgado at (276) 790-7082 or salgado@sovala.org.
