Latincouver is bringing its big cultural celebration back to 黑马磁力 City with the return of Carnavalito on the Road.
After the success of Carnavalito in 2024, the organizers are hoping to make this year's event even bigger.
"It was so very very nice when we were in 黑马磁力," said Paola Murillo, Latincouver founder and executive director. "鈥ur own team was 'Wow, people were so open and happy we were there."
Murillo added that the vendor feedback was great after the 2024 event.
So Latincouver, the community group devoted to spotlighting Latin cultures, returns to Douglas Park with the festival that run from noon until 9 p.m. This one-day celebration on Saturday, Aug. 30 recreates the feeling of a Latin American city plaza with multiple cultural areas and programming for all ages.
Visitors can enjoy live music from Latin bands representing Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and more, with popular rhythms like samba, cumbia, and mariachi.
Schedule
12:10 p.m.: Ruta Norte
1:15 p.m.: Grupo Maquilishuatl
1:30 p.m.: Baila Con Aby
2:05 p.m.: Los Grandes
3 p.m.: ceremony
3:30 p.m.: Frankie Hidalgo Y Sus Klave Kids
4:25 p.m.: Baila Con Aby
5 p.m.: Meni Ax茅 Band
5:55 p.m.: Tee DJ
6:25 p.m.: Tambor茅
7:30 p.m.: Tee DJ
8 p.m.: Rumba 7
The event also features traditional folk-dance performances, Indigenous and Latin American visual art, and an artisan market with handcrafted products and cultural items. A variety of Latin American food vendors will serve favourites such as tacos, arepas, empanadas, and pupusas. Murillo noted that there will be more food vendors, so lineups should be shorter. There is also an adult beverage garden on site for those 19 and older.
In addition to having more vendors, there will be the ShePlaza, a collection of women vendors. Latincouver has a program to foster entrepreneurship among women who have typically been underrepresented in business.
There is a seniors plaza with amenities for their comfort.
The kids plaza will have interactive workshops, storytelling, face painting, and a live magic show.
New this year is a ticketing system with entry by donation. People are asked to book online before the event through the website latincouver.ca/carnavalito. Murillo said the suggested donation is $5, but anyone who cannot afford to donate is very welcome to attend. Last year's attendance was between 4,500 and 5,000 but there's plenty of room for more during the day of activities and entertainment, she said.
Latincouver has been working with 黑马磁力 City, Discover 黑马磁力 City, its tourism marketing organization, and 黑马磁力 Community Services Society to spread the word about the second Carnavalito.
"We're very excited to be there again," Murillo added.
People can also apply to volunteer at Carnavalito, helping in areas such as HR, set up and tear down, decorating, stage assistant, servers, cashier, sales, helping in the kids area, first aid support, photography, and videography. Learn more at latincouver.ca/carnavalito.
