The 12th Annual Sabroso Festival Spreads Joy in the Community
This year the 12th Annual Sabroso Festival, a festival celebrating Latin American culture through music, dance, and food, was bigger than it has ever been. Being hosted in the Historic Downtown Mall at the Ting Pavilion for the first time in 12 years gave the festival space to expand substantially.
Right as attendees walked in, they were greeted with the delicious aroma of foods being served at the various food trucks and stands. In addition to the adults-only beer garden, there was a large array of foods. My favorites were the quesabirria tacos (tacos with melted cheese and stewed meat) with satisfying consumé (a salty broth you can dip your taco in), and liters of milky horchata, among other drinks. Also available were homemade tamales, cups with large slices of pineapple, mango, and watermelon sprinkled with slightly spicy zesty tajin seasoning and chamoy sauce, chicharrones (a wagon wheel shaped chip), and popsicles from the local popsicle shop La Flor Michoacana.
There were nine hours of nonstop dancing and music with performers from Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador, including a dance lesson in bachata, a couple’s dance from the Dominican Republic. The dancers wore beautiful traditional dresses, which they swished and twirled, creating shapes with the fabric that resembled wings or flowers.
The MCs for the event, Kathya Ortiz (speaking Spanish) and Jose Luis Zuluaga (speaking in English), announced the performers and gave an important speech about one of the organizers of the event, the non-profit organization Sin Barreras.
Zuluaga said, “Our mission is to empower immigrants and their families in central Virginia. With a focus on Hispanic population by educating, advocating, and supporting their needs,” which Ortiz then translated in Spanish. Ortiz and Zuluaga’s speeches on Sin Barreras were spoken in both English and Spanish as opposed to the announcements, which were just in Spanish.
Adults and children from many cultures and backgrounds mingled together enjoying the festivities under the pavilion, on the grass, and walking from vendor to vendor. There was a kids corner with face paint and arts and crafts.
Many people wore T-shirts or costumes from their country of origin, and children had flags face painted on their cheeks. The festival highlighted and celebrated Charlottesville’s diverse cultures.
As Ortiz said, “We [Sin Barreras] envision a society where the essential needs of all its members are met, regardless of immigration status, color, economic class or culture of origin.”
