As plans start to come together each year for the Latino Culture Festival, the food vendors usually want to know what musical acts organizers have arranged.

“The first question we get from the food vendors is who is going to be the entertainer or what bands are coming,” said Eber Menjivar, the chair of the festival organizational committee. “They seem to use that to base how much food they need to have for the festival.”

In its 11th year, the festival attracts musical performers from across the country and features music from the many different countries represented by Dubois County residents.

According to Eber, based on feedback about the entertainment lineup from the online community, vendors should expect to sell a lot of food over this year’s two-day event.

Headlining Act: A Tribute to Latin American Classics

This year’s festival’s main attraction is “La Sonora Dinamita de Colombia,” a tribute band to the popular Latin American group that originated in the 1980s. Hailing from near Miami, Florida, the band will perform on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., playing hits from the 90s that are staples at Latino gatherings.

“We want to get people dancing to cumbias; dancing to good music with good beats,” Eber explained. “Having a band that people can relate to, know the name, songs, and lyrics of, is exciting.”

“You hear these songs at every quinceanera, every party, and Latino gathering where they play music and dance,” he added.

Local talent and DJ entertainment

In addition to the headlining act, the festival will feature performances by local talent, including “Los Caravales,” from the Dubois County area.

“Los Caravales” is comprised of members of the Dubon family. Luis Dubon is credited with being part of the group of Latinos who began striving to build stronger ties to the community they called home.

When he moved here in 1999, Dubon saw the gap between the Anglo and Latino communities, so he and a group began to work together to bridge that gap. The Association of Latin Americans in Southern Indiana (ALASI) was formed in 2008 through Dubon’s and many others’ efforts.

The Latino Cultural Festival has become ALASI’s signature event.

“That’s kind of neat; he is such a big part of the whole story of ALASI that it just feels appropriate to share the stage with him and his grandkids,” Eber noted.

The event will also feature energetic sets from DJ Provo on Friday and DJ Tobar on Saturday. “We’re gonna have that place bumping, for sure,” Eber said.

Family-Friendly Activities

New this year are several family-oriented activities, including a mini-soccer triathlon for children and a traditional sack race.

“Soccer is… instilled in us before we were even able to walk. You know what I mean? It’s heavy in the Latino culture, and just at every gathering, there’s some kind of soccer ball being tossed around,” Eber explained.

So, on Saturday, kids can show off their dribbling, passing, shooting and scoring skills to win prizes and some recognition.

There will also be a sack race for the first time this year. Eber noted that his parents worked harvesting coffee beans in El Salvador when they were younger, and the sack race calls back to those burlap coffee bean bags they had that many older Central and South Americans can remember.

Kids can also take part in craft activities on Saturday morning. Organized by Traditional Arts Today, the event is another first-time connection to another community organization to bring in a new event and build more relationships.

Saturday evening, adults can participate in the “Grito” contest. A grito is a traditional Mexican shout with historical significance dating back to the Mexican Revolution and Mexican Independence Day. It is a common interjection heard in Mariachi music.

Participants will belt out their signature grito for a chance to win some recognition and prizes.

Diverse Food Offerings

Food vendors will offer a wide variety of Latin American foods, including walking 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, the Gaslight will be providing bar services at the back of Old Town Hall for attendees.

Community Health Initiative

In line with ALASI’s mission to provide resources for the Latino population in Dubois County, the fest will feature informational booths and a smaller version of the health fair from previous years. The “welcome circle” in Market Street Park will feature five healthcare providers offering information and services to attendees.

The festival also provides a great platform to introduce community members to the ALASI Resource Center. Located at 511 East Fourth Street, the resource center, also accessible through 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 overcome 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, chit chat, meet new people and see what different foods the neighbors are making,” Eber said. “And to see how we are all similar.”

La Agenda / The Schedule

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

• 4:00 PM: Food Booths Open
• 4:00-7:00 PM: Face Painting with Miss Delmy
• 4:00 – 8:00 PM: Crafts Presented by Traditional Arts Today
• 5:00 – 10:00 PM: Bar Opens
• 5:00 PM: Opening Ceremonies
• 5:30 PM: Name That Food! Featuring Local Celebrities
• 6:00 – 6:30 PM: Baile Folklórico
• 6:45 PM: Carrera de Sacos (Sack Race) – Kids Lawn
• 7:00 – 9:00 PM: La Sonora Dinamita de Colombia
• 9:00 – 11:00 PM: DJ Rojo
• 11:00 PM: Food Booths Close

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31

• 11:00 AM: Food Booths Open
• 11:00 AM: Opening Ceremonies
• 11:00 – 4:00 PM: Crafts Presented by Traditional Arts Today
• 11:00 – 7:00 PM: Face Painting with Miss Delmy
• 11:30 – 12:00 PM: Bilingual Story Time – “Fuertes Together”
• 12:00 – 6:00 PM: Henna Tattoos
• 1:00 PM: Mini Fútbol (Soccer) Triathlon – Kids Lawn
• 2:00 PM: Juego de Globos (Balloon Game) – Kids Lawn
• 3:00 – 4:00 PM: Los Caravales
• 4:00 PM: Carrera de Sacos (Sack race) – Kids Lawn
• 4:30 PM: Taco Eating Contest – $10 per entry
• 5:00 – 10:00 PM: Bar Opens
• 5:00 PM: Grito Contest
• 6:00 – 6:30 PM: Baile Folklórico
• 7:00 – 9:00 PM: La Sonora Dinamita de Colombia
• 9:00 – 11:00 PM: DJ Tobar
• 11:00 PM: Food Booths Close