COLUMBUS -- Hispanic Festival 2008 will offer something for all ages and backgrounds in an effort to introduce everyone to the Hispanic culture, organizers say.
The sixth annual festival will be held at Platte County Agricultural Park Friday through Saturday.
This year's celebration, coordinated by Fernando Lopez, Socorro Rodriguez, Victor Rodriguez and Joaquin Velez, will feature new attractions along with traditional favorites.
Lopez said the event is an attempt to help break some cultural barriers and highlight the rich elements of Hispanic heritage.
In a relaxed and open atmosphere people are more inclined to mingle and open up to one another, so “we want to create a place where everyone can feel comfortable interacting,” Lopez said. “Our main goal for this event is to combine the community, to be a bridge” between different groups.
To try to bring the community together the coordinators tried to present activities that would have a universal appeal, such as face painting and a petting zoo, throughout the weekend, performances by Columbus High and Columbus Middle School bands on Saturday and a fireworks display on Sunday.
The three-day event will also include a carnival, food court with authentic Mexican foods, beer garden, folkloric dancers and more throughout the weekend.
For Mother’s Day, the festival will offer mother-oriented events on Sunday, such as the mother-daughter look alike contest.
The “Mexican Dance Concert” Saturday will feature two bands, Aquilillas de la Sierra and La Herencia de la Sierra. Admission is $25.
To start off the festival, a teen dance featuring DJ Fernando will be held Friday and $10 is the price for admission.
The culmination of the Hispanic celebration will be a fireworks display at dusk on Sunday, which will be preceded by the “Miss Latina 2008” contest.
Socorro said the event requires up to six months to plan and it would not be possible without the continued sponsorships from area businesses.
Of the 22 sponsors, seven are Hispanic owned and operated, which exemplifies how the community can come together to support an event, she said. There is very strong support because they believe in this festival.
The family-oriented festival is something people look forward to every year and each year those who have attended inquire about it as the summer approaches, Socorro said.
Lopez said for those who may be concerned about security issues, private security will be on site. “This is a family event and we want to do everything we can to keep it that way,” he said.
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