Stone Mountain Park this spring will for the third year host a festival to celebrate the colorful and diverse cultures collectively called Latino. Out of countries in the Americas with roots in European countries that speak Latin-derived languages—primarily Spanish and Portuguese—have come distinct cultures with their own foods, music, arts and customs that have developed in the more than 500 years since Europeans began exploring North and South America.
The park invites people of all backgrounds to visit the Latino Family Festival celebrating Latino culture and heritage during the final weekend in April and the first weekend in May.
Approximately 10.4 percent of DeKalb County’s residents described themselves as Latino in the most recent U.S. census. “Unlike ‘Hispanic,’ which refers to language, ‘Latino’ is related to geography,” explains a Wikipedia entry.
The festival is described by park officials as “a vibrant and lively celebration of Latino music, dance, and culture, featuring a wide variety of live international talent, including dancers, musicians, a marching band, a festive parade, and a massive drone and light show.”
Sights, sounds and tastes of such places as Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, Puerto Rico and many others will come to the park’s Crossroads area, which will be decorated to suggest Latino countries, providing photo opportunities for visitors.
Signature specialty foods from Atlanta food trucks and pop-up kitchens will bring cuisines with the flavors of Latin America such as tacos, Mexican corn, and nachos to the festival, according to information from the park.
A nightly parade will feature colorful dancers, festive floats and the Panamanian Marching Band of Atlanta, according to the park announcement. The 50-piece band describes itself online this way: “Since its inception the Panamanian Marching Band of Atlanta has been a beacon of cultural pride and unity. With roots deeply embedded in the heart of Panama, our band had brought the infectious rhythms and melodies of our homeland to the street of Atlanta, captivating audiences with every performance.”
“Guests will have the opportunity to see traditional dances and entertainment from different regions of Latin America, including Aztec dancers, Colombian ballet, Mexican ballet, Flamenco dancers, Mariachi band, Pleneros, Mexican band, Charro, stilt walkers, and the Panamanian Marching Band of Atlanta,” states an announcement from the park, which adds, “The festival will also include interactive storytelling sessions where guests can learn the significance of Latino traditions and folklore.”
Light and fireworks shows have become signature events for Stone Mountain Park, and one of the highlights of the Latino Family Festival will be a drone and light show designed in keeping with the festival theme.
“Featuring 250 color-changing drones choreographed to music, the drone show creates incredible themed aerial formations in the sky. Then, watch the specially programmed massive Latino Festival Light Show, projecting images on the mountain along with immersive lighting and special effects, followed by a fireworks finale,” states the park’s description of the nightly show.
The Latino Family Festival and Light Show will take place Saturdays and Sundays April 26 and 27 and May 3 and 4. It is one of several festivals and special events to be hosted by Stone Mountain Park this year. Others include Fantastic Fourth Celebration, Yellow Daisy Festival, Pumpkin Festival, Stone Mountain Highland Games, Native American Festival and Pow Wow and Stone Mountain Christmas.
Stone Mountain Park, a 3,200-acre recreation area, is located 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta. To visit, take I-285 to Exit 39B, Hwy. 78 East. Stone Mountain Park is at Exit No. 8 on Hwy. 78. Additional festival information and tickets are available at www.stonemountainpark.com.