Festival Latino in Columbus
Musica - Cultura - Fiesta

The Festival Latino in Columbus is one of the most colorful festivities of the year in our fine city! You'll find vivacious music, high-spirited crowds, dancing in the streets, workshops in culture and art for the adults and kids! I wouldn't dare forget to mention the awesome Latin American cuisine!

2008 New News

2008 Schedule

Photo by Randall L. Schieber, 2006 Fest

Dates: Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21, 2008, Hours 5PM to 11PM
Location: Genoa Park, Downtown Columbus
Admission is Free.

Update for 2008

As the city looks forward to the 2012 Bicentennial, redevelopment of the area known as the Scioto Mile will commence. In preparation for this redevelopment, Festival Latino will be reformatted in 2008 as a gated event on the west bank of the downtown riverfront.

Also new in 2008, Music in the Air will partner with CAPA (Columbus Association for the Performing Arts) to present a spicy Saturday evening performance sure to set the downtown riverfront ablaze with music and dancing.

The Festival Latino in Columbus started in 1996 as a way to provide the community with a chance to learn and experience contemporary and traditional culture through performances, visual arts, authentic cuisine and learning workshops.

It's the largest Hispanic-Latino event in the state of Ohio. What started as a 5 hour project in 1996 is now a 2 day event!

Photo by Randall L. Schieber, Groupmania at 2006 Fest

Past performances have included Groupmania, Larry Harlow and the Latin Legends, Los Caminantes, Conjunto Atardecer and many more.

2008 Schedule

Friday, June 20, 2008 from 5PM to 11PM

The music lineup includes:

- Zon del Barrio with featured artists Sammy Ayala and Yomo Toro at 7PM. Zon del Barrio plays sounds of classic salsa, bomba, plena, merengue, boogalu and Latin jazz.

- Salsero Andy Montañez will spice up the riverfront with a performance beginning at 9:30PM. Andy Montañez gained fame during his 15-year membership in the group El Gran Combo, and his popularity continues to grow as a solo artist. Montañez spent three years co-leading the Venezuela-based band Dimensi’n Latina prior to embarking on an international tour with his own orchestra. In recent years, he has teamed up with fellow musicians to experiment with various types of Latin music genres. His partnership with Cuban music giant Pablo Milanes resulted in the Latin Grammy Award-winning album AM|PM Lineas Paralelas.

Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 5PM to 11PM

- Concert Caliente presented by American Family Insurance on Saturday, June 21 from 5PM to 11PM in Genoa Park. The highlight of the evening will be a Los Huracanes Del Norte performance. Concert Caliente is general admission and every attendee must have a ticket. Tickets are $30 and on sale now.

- Lucero Terrazas, known for different genres and styles of Mexican music, will perform at 6PM.

- As the sun goes down, the night will heat up when norteño super-group Los Huracanes Del Norte take the stage at 8:30PM.

A large LED screen will simulcast the performances on the street level plaza, providing plenty of room for dancing.

Tickets for Saturday's Concert Caliente are $30 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.) and at the event gate on the day of the concert.

Tickets are also available at all Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com.

To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 431-3600 or (614) 469-0939. Additional service fees apply to tickets purchased through Ticketmaster or by phone.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets for lawn seating. Coolers, chairs, tents, pets, and umbrellas are not permitted. For rain policies and additional rules, visit www.FestivalLatino.net.

Continuing the 13-year tradition, Festival Latino will bring the rich tastes and traditions of Latin America to Columbus. Festival-goers can dance to live music, taste authentic foods, shop the Marketplace for arts and crafts, and learn about health, education and employment opportunities available in the community.

Enjoy the authentic cuisine from Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and El Salvador. Relax and enjoy lunch while the local musicians fill the air with music.

Walking through the Marketplace, you'll find handmade arts and crafts, pottery and much more.

Photo by Randall L. Schieber, Children's Activities at 2006 Fest

The children's area features activities for kids and families to do hands-on projects. Children can explore hands-on activities and create traditional Latin American crafts.

Employment and educational areas will be set up, as well as community and wellness areas. They feature bilingual information on opportunities available from various companies and organizations.

Photo by Randall L. Schieber, Young Traditional Dancers 2006 Fest

Performances by traditional dancers are always a pleasure. The beautiful colors and costumes enhance the pure enjoyment of watching traditional dance. From adults to children, you won't want to miss this. The dance competitions are not only fun, but what great dancing you'll see there also.