Annual Latino Festival
The largest cultural contribution that Latinos make in Vermont is their annual Latino festival, which began in 1995 with the assistance of the Burlington Parks
Dancers performing during the 2007 Vermont Latino Festival in Burlington. Courtesy of Hermanos Productions.
Department. This event, which is now independently run under the leadership of Hector Cobeo, is a weeklong festival celebrating the many Latino cultures in Vermont. The festival takes place at Burlington’s Waterfront Park and offers opportunities for all to experience Latino art, dance, food, and music. In addition to activities for children, workshops for Latino dance and music are provided to encourage participation in Vermont’s Latino culture. The event is well attended; as many as 10,000 people have been estimated to participate in the festival’s activities in some years, and the event now receives support from more than fifteen sponsors, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and the local Fox television affiliate.
