Mission: Festival Latino's mission is to provide the community with an opportunity to experience traditional and contemporary Latin American culture through the presentation of the performing and visual arts, educational workshops and authentic cuisine. Festival Latino is the largest Hispanic/Latino event in Ohio, and attracts a multicultural audience from throughout Ohio and the surrounding states.

History: In 1996, Festival Latino began as a five-hour pilot project. The attendance of 7,000 far exceeded expectations. Due to this overwhelming response, the festival expanded to two days in 1997. The common elements each year have been lively music, vivacious crowds, dancing in the streets, cultural and arts workshops for children and adults, Latin American cuisine and community information tents. Over the years, Festival Latino has experienced a substantial growth in the number of performing artists, workshops, vendors, participating community groups, and audience.

Past headlining artists have included: Grupomania, Larry Harlow and the Latin Legends, Los Caminantes, Conjunto Atardecer, Grupo Fantasma, Los Corraleros de MajagualPoncho Sanchez, José "El Canario" Alberto, Joseph Portes, Manny Oquendo & Libré, Los Hermanos Moreno, Banda 30/30, Arte Mixto, ¡Cubanismo!, Plena Libre, Eddie Palmieri, Ricardo Lemvo, Bamboleo, Orquesta Aragon, Milly Quezada & Orchestra, Cuco Valoy, Orlando "Maraca" Valle y Otra Visión, Truco & Zaperoko, George Lamond, Yerba Buena, Santiago Jimenez, Joaquin Diaz, Los Titanes, Banda Los Lagos, Los Corraleros de Majagual, Victor Manuelle and Elvis Crespo.

Festival Latino, presented by American Family Insurance, is produced by Music in the Air and the Office of Special Events, programs of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.