Politixia
DUBUQUE, Iowa — Dubuque Unidos will host its sixth annual Dubuque Latinx Fiesta on Saturday, October 3, from 1 to 7 p.m. in the Millwork District.
The event brings together music, dance, art, food and stories celebrating Latin American cultures. Dubuque Unidos says it aims to create a welcoming space where community members can share traditions and learn from one another.
For the second year, Dubuque Unidos is partnering with the Dubuque Museum of Art to bring the festival indoors. This year’s art exhibition centers around the theme “Entre Tonos”: Living Between Cultures, reflecting experiences of individuals and families who carry their traditions while embracing new communities. Visitors can experience the exhibit at the Dubuque Museum of Art free of charge during the fiesta.
The celebration will feature Mariachi Sol de Madison for the first time in Dubuque Latinx Fiesta history. Their mariachi music will open the event and set the tone for the day.
Guests will also enjoy a performance by Fuerzas Culturales Ballet Folklórico from Cedar Rapids, showcasing traditional folkloric dance. Edi Rey y su Salsera returns to the fiesta stage with high-energy salsa rhythms.
Activities throughout the day include Bessa Beauty fashion braids, Twist & Shout Balloons from 1 to 3 p.m., Latin Thunder Luchador meet and greet all day, and Captured on Canvas face painting from 3 to 6 p.m. Visitors can enjoy food vendors featuring Latin American flavors, local artisans and crafters, community vendors and nonprofit organizations, traditional Lotería games and art activities inside the Dubuque Museum of Art, and family-friendly activities throughout the day.
The celebration continues into the night with a 21-and-older after-party at The Goose beginning at 9 p.m.
Daniel Luna and Natalie Cerón, owners of La Venta Specialty Coffee and three-time fiesta vendors, shared their experience. “Participating in last year’s Latinx Fiesta, organized by Dubuque Unidos, was a wonderful experience for us,” Luna and Cerón said. “The event gave us the opportunity to introduce our specialty coffee business to the community, make valuable connections, and build lasting relationships with customers and other local businesses.”
“We were proud to share our Colombian culture through coffee and to be part of an event that celebrates the diversity, traditions, and contributions of the Latin community,” they said. “We are grateful to Dubuque Unidos for creating such a welcoming event.”
Claire Robinson, whose journey began as a volunteer and grew into becoming an active member of Dubuque Unidos, reflected on the fiesta’s impact. “Seeing in the fiesta was such a wonderful celebration of community and culture,” Robinson said. “This event is so important for the Tri-State area, and I knew I wanted to support Dubuque Unidos and help how I can.”
“It has been great participating beyond the fiesta and getting to know the DU community more,” she said. “Dubuque Unidos is bringing people together all year in lots of creative ways, from Farolitos Night to the recent World Cup watch parties, and Dubuque is stronger because of it.”
Dubuque Unidos thanked the sponsors whose support helps create the annual celebration where the community can come together to learn, connect and celebrate the cultures that enrich Dubuque.
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