The 2015 Latino Festival returns to downtown Perry this year with a new theme — ¡Viva Perry! The annual cultural event, sponsored by Hispanics United for Perry (HUP), is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
After making the rounds at Wiese Park and Pattee Park in recent years, the festivities return to the downtown area, with center stage in front of Raccoon Valley Bank, according to Daniel Rivera, Raccoon Valley Bank assistant vice president and loan officer and HUP treasurer.
Vendors and booths will line Second Street between Willis Avenue and Lucinda Street, and children will find a petting zoo in front of Perry Paint and Supply. A variety of kid’s activities will be available throughout the day.
This year’s Latino celebrations will also see the return of a parade for the festival. The parade line up starts at 9:30 a.m. at 10th Street and Willis Avenue, with a 10:15 a.m. start time.
The route will follow Willis Avenue to Third Street, proceeding north on Third Street to Lucinda Street, turning westward on Lucinda Street and parading to Second Street, with a final turn southward on Second Street and leading to the intersection of Second Street and Warford Street.
“Our hope is that ¡Viva Perry! will be a vibrant street festival and a wonderful opportunity to showcase hometown pride,” said Rosa Gonzalez, longtime HUP member and coordinator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Perry LINK program.
Escuadrón Musical, a cumbia fusion group from Marshall, Minn., is the featured musical act for the festival. Danza del los Viejitos, a folkloric dance troop from Nebraska, will also perform. The MC for the day will be popular radio personality Melissa Pacheco, aka “La Chicanita,” from La Ley.
¡Viva Perry! will showcase other local acts and personalities as well, including a presentation of local young women who were Quinceañeras in the past year, a Reina/Queen pageant and a variety of Perry musical acts performing throughout the day.
The ¡Viva Perry! Festival is the primary fundraiser for HUP, with proceeds supporting scholarships for graduating seniors and continuing education.
“We count on the support of the Perry Community in our efforts,” said Rivera.
Contributions to the HUP scholarship fund can be sent to Rivera at Raccoon Valley Bank, 1202 Second St., Perry, IA 50220.
The Latino Festival has been a regular feature of Perry’s social and cultural life since 1993. It was originally held on or around Sept. 16 in order to mark Mexican Independence Day.
¡Viva Perry! schedule:
9:30 a.m. – Pre-parade line up at 10th Street and Willis Avenue
10 a.m. – Parade to Second and Warford streets, including la Danza de los Viejitos, Perry Quinceañeras and contestants in this year’s Reina/Queen competition.
11 a.m. –Blessing by Father Paul Nguyen and Welcome by La Chicanita
11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Presentation of las Reinas and the Quinceañeras
1-3 p.m. – Traditional dances intermixed with local talent, switching approximately every half-hour
4-6 p.m. – Escuadrón Musical
6-7 p.m. – La Reina celebration
7-9 p.m. – Escuadrón Musical
