LatinoFest will cha cha cha into Patterson Park this weekend.
“The festival?s [participants and vendors] turn into a great community, the music is wonderful, there will be dancing, vendors selling handmade crafts, T-shirts, authentic food,” said Jessica Robinson, who has been working with the festival for the past four years.
LatinoFest is organized by Education Based Latino Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to offering after-school programs to Hispanics in partnership with Baltimore City and Baltimore County as well as educational programs, such as computer, English and Spanish classes for adults.
Robinson said this year the festival is dedicated to the nonprofit?s founder and executive director, Jose Ruiz, who passed away in December 2006.
Ruiz “started this festival in 1980, and wanted people to be able to enjoy Latino culture and all that it has to offer,” she said.
“He wanted to raise money for [the outreach program]. Jose was dedicated to working with the community.”
As Ruiz planned, the main purpose of the LatinoFest has been to raise money for the nonprofit?s programs, Robinson said.
An awards ceremony for children who have succeeded in the outreach?s programs as well as made outstanding academic achievements will begin at 8 tonight, Robinson said.
Following the ceremony, Larry Harlow and Latin Legends Band will take the stage tonight. An American salsa musician known internationally, Harlow?s performance will be his second at LatinoFest. “I?m really happy to see that Baltimore?s finally getting with it and realizing the potential of the Latino community,” he said.
LatinoFest highlights the dynamic aspects of the culture, but one doesn?t have to be Hispanic to enjoy the festivities, Robinson said.
“Absolutely everyone is welcome, the weekend is a celebration of Latino culture but it?s an opportunity for everyone to take part,” she said.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: LatinoFest
WHEN: Noon to 10 p.m. today and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Patterson Park, Eastern and South Linwood avenues, Baltimore City
FEE: $5
