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
City Year
David Harpham
Team Fishel
Amarelis Martinez
Community Advocate
Kelly Hogan
Honda
Maria Elizabeth Ramos
YMCA
Thalia Amador Lastra
U.S. Small Business Administration
Omar D’Angelo
Barroluco
Ginger Haynes
Honda
Jessica Rodríguez
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio
Diana Pagán
Dress for Success Columbus
Kenny Ramos
Alexandra Ramos Agency, LLC
Derek Amaya
Amaya Productions
Luis Gil
Luis Gil Agency
Sandra López
City of Columbus
Joseph Mas
Attorney at Law
Ani Palacios
Pukiyari Publishing
Gilda Begly
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Adriana Arriaga
Soy y Luna Hair Salon
Elizabeth Guzman-Bowman
The Ohio State University Medical Center
Lair Marin-Marcum
The Libre Initiative
Carla Mello
Ohio History Connection
Norajill Pasos
The James Cancer Hospital
