- This event has passed.
Seattle Fiestas Patrias
September 19, 2015 @ 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Seattle Fiestas Patrias opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday with a parade in South Park featuring dancing horses, music and low-riders. Mayor Edward B. Murray leads the parade as grand marshal.
This year marks the 37th anniversary of Seattle Fiestas Patrias at Seattle Center and features Mariachi Huenachi (whsmariachi.org/music-video), an award-winning student group from Wenatchee, Wash. Festival performances highlight a variety of popular Latin American musical styles, including cumbia, salsa and merengue, along with folkloric dances.
Engaging children’s activities include two bounce houses, a petting zoo, face painting and flower potting. The “Sarapes of Mexico” booth teaches children to make these blanket-like shawls featuring traditional colors and patterns.
Two displays in Seattle Center Armory feature visual arts. “¡Viva! Latino Visions Art Exhibition” showcases the work of emerging Latino and Latina artists of all ages from the greater Seattle area. “The Tlaloc Exhibit” presents the indigenous art of Mexico.
A health fair offers free health screenings, fitness classes and information on community health services. Zumba classes at 12:30 p.m. Saturday and hourly from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Sunday invite festival-goers to try this Latin-inspired workout.
Bocaditos (bite-sized sandwiches), elotes (corn on the cob), chicharrónes (fried pork rinds), fruit with chile, ice cream, enchiladas, empanadas (stuffed pastry) and tamales (seasoned meat wrapped in cornmeal dough) are among the traditional and contemporary Latin American foods offered at the festival.