By: Diana Ospina | Staff Writer
Conexión Latina Newport held their very first Latino Festival on September 23! Conexión Latina Newport is a center dedicated to support the Hispanic/Latino community in the area. By creating access and representation through public connections, this center has made a name for itself as the heart of the Newport Latin community. As soon as I heard there was going to be a Latino Festival out on the lawn of the Great Friends Meeting House, I knew exactly what I would be doing on that Saturday. I got the chance to help as a volunteer for most of the festival, where everyone I talked to was excited for what was to come, regardless of the rainy weather.
There were numerous informative tables of different businesses and organizations from all around Rhode Island. I spent most of my time at one of these tables as their translator. A couple of the organizations I took note of were Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Newport Art Museum, Women’s Resource Center, and Newport County Prevention Coalition. There was something for everyone at this event, including recreational tables such as face painting for the kids to enjoy.
Besides the small retail businesses and general organizations, the live performances and music made this festival even livelier. Getting to hear some of my favorite Latin artists and seeing everyone enjoy our culture as a community reminded me of home. For example, the Colombian American Cultural Society’s act felt so familiar to me that it ended up as my favorite of the day.
This was a day well spent celebrating the lives and cultures of the Newport Hispanic community. Having only been here for under a month, this festival gave me what felt like a warm welcoming hug into the hard-working and ever-growing Latino community. Conexión Latina Newport knows exactly what it means to work together as a family, which I got the privilege to see first-hand through this festival’s local live music, dance performances, unbelievable food, non-profit organizations, games, and vibrancy from all the celebrants.
Click Here to find Conexión Latina Newport’s website.
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