Festival Latino began as a five-hour pilot project by the City of Columbus in 1996, and after an overwhelming response, expanded to a two-day event in 1997. The event offers lively music, 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 continued to flourish and grow in the number of performing artists, workshops, vendors, participating community groups, and audience.
When City budget cuts threatened to end the Festival in 2009, Mayor Michael Coleman asked CAPA to take on production of the Festival. After assessing community interest and sponsor support, CAPA agreed to produce Festival Latino and continue the popular, annual event uninterrupted.
To make Festival Latino more family-friendly, CAPA changed it to a free event on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-8pm. CAPA’s first Festival Latino (in 2009) was heralded as a great success by members of the community as well as participants and sponsors.
Today, CAPA continues to grow and expand the free, family-focused event, bringing even more national/international music acts, Ohio-based Latino dance and music, children’s activities, and more for the community to enjoy at Festival Latino each August!
Festival Latino Steering Committee
Ramona Reyes
Our Lady of Guadalupe Center
Lourdes Barroso de Padilla
Columbus City Councilmember
Kelly Hogan
Honda
Sandra López
Fifth Third Bank
Diana Pagán
Our Lady of Guadalupe Center
Jessica Rodríguez
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio
Thalia Amador Lastra
U.S. Small Business Administration
Gilda Begly
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Luis Gil
Luis Gil Agency
Lair Marin-Marcum
The Libre Initiative
Norajill Pasos
The James Cancer Hospital
Alejandra Rodriguez
YMCA Columbus
Derek Amaya
Amaya Productions
Maria Cortez
City of Columbus, Mayor’s Office
Elizabeth Guzman-Bowman
The Ohio State University Medical Center
Amarelis Martinez
Brand Strategist
Lorenzo Quiroga
Chilean Community in Columbus, Ohio
Adriana Arriaga
Soy y Luna Hair Salon
Omar D’Angelo
Barroluco Argentine
David Loayza
Author
Carla Mello
Ohio History Connection
Kenny Ramos
Alexandra Ramos Agency, LLC
