As plans begin to come together each year for the Latin Culture Festival, food vendors usually want to know what musical acts organizers have lined up.
“The first question we get from food vendors is who will be the entertainer or which bands will be coming,” said Eber Menjivar, chairman of the festival’s organizing committee. “They seem to use it to base how much food they should have for the festival.”
In its 11th year, the festival attracts musical performers from across the country and features music from many different countries represented by Dubois County residents.
According to Eber, based on feedback about the fun lineup from the online community, vendors should expect to sell a lot of food during this year’s two-day event.
Title act: A tribute to Latin American classics
The main attraction of this year’s festival is “La Sonora Dinamita de Colombia,” a tribute set to the popular Latin American band that started in the 1980s. Hailing from near Miami, Florida, the band will perform Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 9 p.m., playing ’90s hits that are staples at Latin gatherings.
“We want to get people dancing to cumbias and good music with good beats,” Eber explained. “To have a band that people can relate to, know the name, the songs and the lyrics, it’s exciting.”
“You hear these songs at every quinceanera, every party and Latin gathering where they play music and dance,” he added.
Local talent and DJ entertainment
In addition to the headline act, the festival will feature performances by local talent, including “Los Caravales,” from the Dubois County area.
“Los Caravales” consists of members of the Dubon family. Lois Dubon is credited as part of the group of Latinos who began to strive for justice
When he moved here in 1999, Lois Dubon saw the gap between the Anglo and Latino communities, so he and a group began working together to bridge that gap. The Association of Latinos in Southern Indiana (ALASI) was formed in 2008 through the efforts of Dubon and many others.
The Latino Cultural Festival has become ALASI’s signature event.
“That’s kind of neat; he is such a huge part of the entire history of ALASI that it is fitting to share the stage with him and his grandchildren,” noted Eber.
The event will also feature energetic sets from DJ Provo on Friday and DJ Tobar on Saturday. “We’re going to have that place bumped, for sure,” Eber said.
Family friendly activities
New this year are several family-oriented activities, including a mini-football triathlon for kids and a traditional sack race.
“Football is… ingrained in us before we could even walk. You know what I mean? It’s heavy in Latino culture, and just at every meeting, there’s some kind of football that gets thrown around,” Eber explained.
So on Saturday, kids can show off their dribbling, passing, shooting and scoring skills to win prizes and some recognition.
For the first time this year, there will also be a sack race. Eber noted that his parents worked harvesting coffee beans in El Salvador when they were younger, and the sack race refers to the fine burlap coffee bean sacks they had, which many older Americans and of the South can remember.
Children can also participate in craft activities on Saturday mornings. Organized by Traditional Arts Today, the event is another first-time tie-in with another community organization to bring a new event and build more relationships.
On Saturday evening, adults can take part in the “Grito” competition. A grito is a traditional Mexican call of historical significance dating back to the Mexican Revolution and Mexican Independence Day. It is a common combination heard in Mariachi music.
Participants will belt their signature for a chance to win some recognition and prizes.
Various food offers
Food vendors will offer a wide variety of Latin American foods, including standing tacos, pupusas, elotes locos, empanadas and, new this year, Puerto Rican options. There will also be açaí bowls from Açaí X Press in Jasper.
Also new this year, Gaslight will offer bar service in the back of Old Town Hall for attendees.
Community Health Initiative
In keeping with ALASI’s mission to provide resources to the Latino population in Dubois County, the festival will feature informational booths and a smaller version of the health fair from previous years. The “Welcome Circle” at Market Street Park will feature five health care providers offering information and services to attendees.
The festival also provides an excellent platform to introduce community members to the ALASI Resource Center. Located at 511 East Fourth Street, the resource center, also accessible via the website https://www.alasiindiana.com and on Facebook here, supports the Latino population in Dubois County and surrounding areas by providing a hub for essential resources and assistance that overcomes language barriers and is designed to foster community growth.
A celebration of progress
The Alasi Festival showcases the cultural richness of Latino cultures in Dubois County while serving as a platform for community building and cultural exchange.
“It’s a great time to be open-minded … to come together, talk, meet new people and see what different foods the neighbors are making,” Eber said. “And to see how we are all alike.”
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
- 4:00 p.m.: Food booths open
- 16:00-19:00: Face painting with Miss Delmy
- 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Crafts Presented by Traditional Arts Today
- 5:00 – 22:00: The bar opens
- 17:00: Opening ceremonies
- 5.30pm: Name that food! Featuring local celebrities
- 6:00 – 18:30: Folk dance
- 18:45: Carrera de Sacos (Sack Race) – Kids Lawn
- 7:00 – 21:00: La Sonora Dinamita de Colombia
- 9:00 – 23:00: DJ Rojo
- 23:00: Food booths close
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
- 11:00 a.m.: Food booths open
- 11:00 am: Opening ceremonies
- 11:00 – 16:00: Crafts Presented by Traditional Arts Today
- 11:00 – 19:00: Face painting with Miss Delmy
- 11:30 – 12:00: Bilingual Storytime – “Fuertes Together”
- 12:00 – 18:00: Henna tattoos
- 13:00: Triathlon in Mini Football (Soccer) – Children’s Lawn
- 2:00 p.m.: Balloon game – Children’s lawn
- 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Caravalas
- 16:00: Carrera de Sacos (Sack Race) – Kids Lawn
- 4:30 p.m.: Taco Eating Contest – $10 per entry
- 5:00 – 22:00: The bar opens
- 17:00: Shout Contest
- 6:00 – 18:30: Folk dance
- 7:00 – 21:00: La Sonora Dinamita de Colombia
- 9:00 – 23:00: DJ Well
- 23:00: Food booths close
