Festival Latino
of the Berkshires

The Festival Latino of the Berkshires celebrates Hispanic Heritage.

The Festival Latino of the Berkshires take place the third Saturday of September from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., behind the Town Hall at Green Park and Saint James Place on Main Street in Great Barrington, MA. The Festival is free of charge, open to the public and alcohol-free.

This great event is celebrated during National Hispanic Heritage Month. It is one of the most anticipated events of the year due to the invaluable cultural contribution that it has brought to the growing Hispanic community in Berkshire County.

Through folkloric dance, artisan arts and crafts, and ethnic food, the Festival each September has provided a familial space of joy and learning for the residents and visitors of the Berkshires.

The festival offers the opportunity for the Latino community to rediscover its roots, strengthen its identity and artistic tendencies. Likewise, locals and visitors will learn more about our customs through various cultural manifestations.

The inspiration and joy of Latin arts showcased at the Festival engage students and adults through activities such as:

Hablemos Español

School teachers and students are especially encouraged to stop by the “Hablemos Español” table to practice informal conversations in Spanish with bilingual speakers during the event.

Sale of Typical Latino Foods

A variety of Latin American cuisine vendors prepare delicious ethnic dishes such as tacos, chorizos, arepas, tamales, empanadas, arroz con pollo, beans, tostones and more, to the delight of Festival attendees’ palates.

Typical Dances

Talented and highly accomplished Latin American folk dance companies present typical dances from different Latin American countries at the Saint James Place Theater and in the park. This is our central event, where the creativity, wealth, and talent of the Latin culture is exposed.

Singers and DJs

They provide the best Latin music hits throughout the afternoon as a soundtrack to liven up the afternoon while attendees explore the various activities of the Festival.

Artisans

There are stands selling handicrafts from different Latin American countries. The attendees of the Festival can admire the beautiful creations of our Latin artisans and purchase them as a souvenir and as financial support for artisans.

See you there! Enjoy this sample of the cultural
richness of the Latin Community with us.

What can you find in the
Festival Latino of the Berkshires

During the Hispanic Heritage Celebration event, attendees can delight in a variety of Latin American cuisine.
Delicious ethnic dishes such as tacos, chorizos, arepas, tamales, empanadas, arroz con pollo, beans, tostones and more will be available for sale.

If you want to apply to be a food vendor during the celebration of the Festival Latino, take into account the following requirements:

1

Each interested vendor must fill out the “Vendor Application” with information about their business and attach documentation like:

  • Copy of Current Victualler License
  • Copy of ServSafe Certificate & Allergies Certificate
  • Menu or list of dishes with prices
  • Copy of Licensed Kitchen
  • Water supply by Town or
  • Private Water (Recent Lab Report).

2

Each approved vendor must pay a non-refundable fee.

3

Vendors are responsible for bringing their own table, tent, chairs, portable generator, heavy-duty extension cords, equipment and sufficient supplies to have a safe and proper operation during the event.

4

You must abide by the Plastic By law, using aluminum or cardboard containers to distribute food.

5

Offer authentic Latin American food, and no other kind of products.

6

Send your vendor application with documents and payment check before the deadline to P.O. Box 1021 – Lee, MA 01238.
All beverages including water, coffee, hot chocolate, ponche, and ice cream will be sold solely by the Festival Latino of the Berkshires.

For more information, please call to Gabriela Bautista – Food and Vendor Coordinator at (413)-854-4154

Food and Craft Vendors Application
Latin American artisans are present at the festival to show their work. This is an opportunity for attendees to support the artisans through the purchase of their items and to explore the diversity of the Latin American culture through different crafts such as jewelry, ceramics, paintings, and textiles, among others.

If you want to apply to be a craft vendor during the celebration of the Festival Latino, take into account the following requirements:

1

Each interested vendor must fill out the “Vendor Application” with information about their business and attach documentation like:

  • Copy of Current Victualler License
  • Copy of ServSafe Certificate & Allergies Certificate

1

Each interested vendor must fill out the “Vendor Application” with information about their business and attach documentation like:

  • Copy of Current Victualler License
  • Copy of ServSafe Certificate & Allergies Certificate

2

Each approved vendor must pay a non-refundable fee.

3

Vendors are responsible for bringing their own table, tent, chairs, portable generator, heavy-duty extension cords, equipment and sufficient supplies to have a safe and proper operation during the event.

4

Send your vendor application with documents and payment check before the deadline to P.O. Box 1021 ~ Lee, MA 01238.

We are waiting for your application in 2024!

Any questions about food and craft vendors, please call Gabriela Bautista – Food and Vendor Coordinator at (413)-854-4154

Food and Vendors Craft Applications
El Festival Latino of the Berkshires supports the promotion of a variety of social organizations that serve and offer resources to the Latin American population of Berkshire County. In this context, access to programs, open dialogue, and meaningful connections between social services organizations and the Latin American community are facilitated.

To continue with this tradition, we are pleased to invite your organization to participate in the Festival Latino of the Berkshires’ Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Saturday, September 24th 2022, at Giggle Park behind the Great Barrington Town Hall.

The conditions of participation and fees are detailed in the attached form. Each Social Service organization is responsible to:

  1. Fill out the “Social Service Vendor Application” as Service Organizations or Business Promotions.
  2. Pay a non-refundable fee.
  3. Bring their own table, tent, chairs, portable generator, heavy-duty extension cords and equipment to have a safe and proper operation during the event.
  4. Promote their services but are not allowed to sell products and/or collect donations.
  5. Have a representative person at their booth during the event.

We look forward to your participation and working together to support the Latin American community of the Berkshires.

Any question, please call – Social Services Coordinators 

Gladis Rave (413)-329-0206 

Sandra Rodriguez (203)-983-7434

Social Services Application

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Folkloric dances are part of the Latin identity. The joy of these dances, the multicolored costumes and traditional music make them more spectacular, they bring us closer to our lands and we travel to other Latin countries to unite in the applause of brotherhood.

For the Latin Festival of the Berkshires, traditional dances are one of the central points of the event. We always strive to find dancers of exceptional quality, so that through their presentation they entertain and educate the public with the ceremonies, rites and stories and their cultural variety that is shown both in the Saint James Place theater and in the park.

In 2022 we had five very talented dance companies as the central act, which delighted the attendees with their wonderful presentations:

Dancers 2022

Cali Salsa Pal Mundo

Is a Colombian dance school from New York City. “Salsa CABARET”, with acrobatic lifts, many twists, flips with rapid stepping and complex footwork. It’s a merger of Cuban dances, such as mambo, pachanga and rumba, as well as American dances such as swing and tap, creating a unique style with rapid stepping and complex footwork, as part of these show Salsa-Cabaret bring Anissa Gathers, performing as Celia Cruz, a homage to the celebrated performer

Youtube: @calisalsapalmundo

 

Brasil in a Heart Beat

Choreographed by Luana Dias David. The quintessential Brazilian dance, Samba is full-on with footwork and flair, this unique Brazilian cultural will give the audience a true taste of Samba.

Know more about Luana in 

Lianadiasd.zumba.com

Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theater company NYC

Performing the rich
Garifuna culture and traditions nationwide through live music, song, drama & dance.

facebook: wabafudance

Dancers 2021

Tumbaga

Is a New York City dance company showcasing the artistic character of Colombian folklore with its cast of energetic dancers and eccentric costumes. Founder, director, and choreographer, Armando Moreno, drives his company to display the splendor of the Colombian heritage by promoting the history of music and dance.

Quetzalcuauhtli Mitotiani

Is a dance company from New York City which celebrates the dance and music traditions of Mexico, incorporating rich pre-Hispanic Aztec traditions and rituals. This group was formed as a project of harmonious coexistence, striving to promote values of tolerance, responsibility, respect, love, and community through dance

Cali Salsa Pal Mundo

Is a Colombian dance school from New York City. Led by director-choreographer and dancer Johnathan Ramos, Salsa Pal Mundo will display “La Historia de la Salsa” Cali’s own salsa style – known for its fast-paced footwork and incredible energy.

Tecuanes

Are a dance group based in New York City with dancers from Los Tecuanes de San Gabriel in Puebla, Mexico. The dance represents two tribes, the Chichimeca and the Zapoteca, working together in an attempt to capture the Tiger.

Dominican Collectives Dance Ensemble

A Folkloric Squad based in New York City that performs and produces presentations that uplift Dominican pride across the U.S., striving to promote cultural authenticity and education.

Join our team of volunteers to support the activities of the Festival!

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