HOLA Latino Festival brings Latin food, music and culture to Bosse Field Saturday

Aimee Blume
Evansville

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – It’s time to fiesta.

The third annual HOLA Latino Festival this Saturday gives you an opportunity to enjoy your fill of Latin food, music and kids’ fun while at historic Bosse Field.

Gollita Peruvian food is getting quite the reputation for their Peruvian ceviche, a mixture of white fish in a citrus and vegetable marinade.

The event is produced by HOLA, a non-profit organization which champions cultural diversity and promotes the inclusion of Latinos in the community.

“We started HOLA Fest two years ago, and that first year we had around 5,000 people come,” said Brant Flores, event chairman and co-founder. “Last year we had 8,500, so this year the goal is to surpass that.”

Tacos Juarez style from Azteca, with a bacon-wrapped jalapeno and grilled green onions.

Who wouldn’t want to spend a summer Saturday taking the family to munch exquisite and authentic foods from Mexico, Central and South America and listen to Latin music? We can’t imagine a more happy and colorful way to spend the day.

Prepare to see at least 36 food vendors offering dishes from familiar street tacos to Salvadorian pupusas (soft corn patties filled with cheese, served with a pickled cabbage relish), Peruvian ceviche (white fish in a marinade of lime juice, chili, cilantro and onion), and paletas (frozen ice cream and fruit pops). 

HOLA Fest would be a wonderful time to find some sopes to try, you have not yet. Crispy fried corn boats are filled with meat, veggies and toppings. These pictured are from La Campirana.

Dozens and dozens of traditional, handmade food items will be available from Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, El Salvador, Panama, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Picky kids and less-adventurous diners can come right along, because D-Ice from Eastland Mall will be there with their amazing rolled ice cream, and you'll find the Sassy Sweets Confections truck, the Nom Truck, lots of fresh fruit and some barbeque on offer. 

To quench your thirst, you’ll find Latin drinks, beer from Modelo and aguas frescas (cold, blended fresh fruit drinks).

Prepare to find lots of it a Hola fest, such as this mangonada made by Fruteria Vanegas.

The big draws of the event are food and music, and each year a Grammy-nominated or Grammy-winning Latino music artist is featured. This year it is DJ El Dusty from Corpus Christi, Texas, who was nominated for a Latin Grammy last year.

Other music and dance acts include Tierra Cali, Salsa Rhythms, La Obra and the Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos from Indianapolis.

Chicken and pork al pastor are cooked before being used to fill tacos at the 2017 HOLA fest.

“HOLA Fest is a community event,” said Flores. “It’s kid-friendly, and the great thing about having an event inside Bosse Field is that your kids can go run. There’s nowhere for them to go; you’re surrounded by a brick wall. Toyota does a fantastic job setting up the children’s’ area. All the volunteers and the Otters do a great job at enough activity to keep those kids busy all day, and the parents can enjoy themselves. There are inflatables. Last year Toyota set up Lego race cars on a track; there’s a mechanical bull this year.”

If you go

What: Third Annual HOLA Latino Festival

When: Saturday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-8p.m.

Where: Bosse Field, 1701 Main St.

Adults $7, Children 12 and under free. Food items are purchased at the individual vendors. 

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