Here’s a summer challenge for your family: bite into a hot-pepper-filled burrito, soar through a bounce house, and listen to Grammy-nominated musicians. This year you can do it all in one day, at one place — the HOLA Festival and Latino Expo.
HOLA’s second annual festival is scheduled for June 17 at Bosse Field. It follows a successful first leap into the festival scene in 2016.
“We’re trying to share the culture with Evansville,” says Brant Flores, vice president of HOLA, co-chair of the Latino Alliance, and chair for the festival. “We’re trying to increase the acceptance of diversity in the community.”
Last year, there were more than 20 food vendors representing areas from all over Latin America, serving up delicious dishes to the guest wandering the baseball field. Grammy-nominated Latin artists Alacranes Musical along with Trote Norteño performed for eager crowds.
Flores is excited about the potential growth this year. Last year about 5,600 attendees came, and he says the goal this year is 7,000. To help draw more people, HOLA partially is focusing on the children.
“Last year, we had a lot for kids,” he says. “This year, we really are going above and beyond for children’s activities, along with, of course, the great food and music.”
As well as bounce houses, HOLA will set up soccer fields in Bosse’s outfield. There will be a parade of nations children will participate in to represent and celebrate their heritage.
The festival will have plenty of fun activities for the whole family, but the true spirit of the event is to celebrate diversity in the community and inclusivity of all ethnicities. The festival last year was successful in bringing that diversity to one place, says Flores.
“There were people there of all colors, all nationalities, all backgrounds, all ages,” he adds. “It was a very diverse mixture of people, and that’s what we want. We want more than just Latinos at the festival, we also want everyone else.”
For more information about the HOLA Festival, call 812-483-5084 or visit holaevansville.org.