Latin American Festival

This festival used to be known as Festival Hispano, and the event is returning to Wannamaker County Park for its 21st year – so you know this is a popular event. 

CELEBRACIÓN! Charleston’s hottest festival returns for its 21st year, and the music acts this year are bringing the heat as well! North Charleston Wannamaker County Park will host the Latin American Festival on Sunday, October 7 from 12 – 6 p.m.

This celebration of Latin American culture, food, dance, children’s activities, and music in a fun, family-oriented environment is a true cultural experience for everyone to enjoy.

Guaranteed to keep your feet moving, this year’s music acts will be Latin sensations Bachaco and Orquesta Mayor. The high-energy Miami band Bachaco blends dancehall, reggae and cumbia with a dash of ska and hip-hop to create its own brand of spicy global music.
Founded in 2007 by Venezuelan brothers Edilberto Morillo (lead vocals) and Jose Morillo (bass/vocals), the band also includes Venezuelan Domingo Medina (drums), Jamaican Matthew Jacquette (guitar/vocals) and Bruce McKinnon (trumpet/vocals), who is of Colombian and Irish heritage. As a result, the band’s lyrics mix in the languages of English, Spanish, and Jamaican Patwa, to produce a unique sound that appeals to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Returning for its second Latin American Festival performance, Bachaco has been touring across the country over the past year, including playing at Miami’s Hard Rock Cafe and at New Orleans’ Bayou Boogaloo. Since their formation, the band has also performed in Colombia and Argentina, with many of its United States performances held in Miami, New York, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta. In August, the band released its self-titled debut album worldwide, which was soon picked by iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” Bachaco is scheduled to perform on stage at the Latin American Festival at 1:30 and 5 p.m.

Multi-cultural Orquesta Mayor is made up of 12 musicians, ranging from trumpet to piano to bongo players to vocalists, all of varying nationalities. The group was formed in Charlotte in 2006 by band leader Helder Serralde. Orquesta Mayor’s music features sounds from many different genres including salsa, meringue, bolero and others. The band is currently working on its freshman album, which has already generated interest from radio stations throughout the Southeast. Orquesta Mayor will perform at 12 and 3:30 p.m.

Also featured on stage at the Latin American Festival will be high-energy dance presentations and demonstrations, including captivating Brazilian martial arts group Capoeira Charleston, and DJ Luigi of Latin Groove, who will spin the hottest salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata and reggaeton hits.

Festival-goers can treat themselves to cold beverages, and cuisine from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Stations for recycling and composting will be provided throughout the festival grounds where patrons can deposit their waste in support of the park agency’s conservation efforts. The little niños will enjoy a kids’ zone just for them, featuring jump castles and other activities.

The Charleston County Public Library will also present a fun educational area at the park’s Cypress Hall.

Event admission is $10 per person at the gate. Gold Pass holders and children ages 12 and under receive free admission! . Wannamaker County Park is located at 8888 University Boulevard in North Charleston (Hwy 78). For more information, call (843) 795-4386 or visit www.ccprc.com/laf.

 Main Stage Schedule

12-1 p.m. Orquesta Mayor
1-1:30 p.m. Capoeira Charleston
1:30- 2:30 p.m. Bachaco
2:45-3:15 p.m. Buen Ache Dance Company
3:30- 4:30 p.m. Orquesta Mayor
4:30-5 p.m. DJ Luigi’s Salsa Dance Contest
5-6 p.m. Bachaco