This weekend, Fiesta DC will light up Pennsylvania Avenue with a vibrant celebration of Hispanic culture, food, and music, in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival, which runs from September 15 to October 15, will take place between 3rd and 7th Streets, and this year, it’s dedicated to celebrating Nicaragua.
Fiesta DC has been a cornerstone of Washington, D.C.’s cultural scene since the late 1970s. Originally rooted in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, the event was founded by community activists eager to showcase the rich cultural heritage and music of the Latino community. According to Jackie Reyes-Yanes, director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, “Fiesta DC highlights the history and diversity of the Latino culture in Washington, D.C., which has now spread to every neighborhood in the city.”
The festival is free and offers an array of authentic Latino dishes, live music, and traditional folk dance performances. Attendees can also explore a variety of handcrafted items from local vendors. One of the highlights of the weekend will be a colorful parade on Sunday down Constitution Avenue, featuring flags from 17 different countries.
In a special nod to Salvadoran culture, the festival will attempt to cook a record-breaking 20-foot-wide pupusa made of cheese, pork, and loroco—a flower bud native to Central America and parts of Mexico. This colossal dish will be prepared at the intersection of Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues and aims to set a new Guinness World Record.
Whether you come for the food, music, or the chance to witness a unique world record attempt, Fiesta DC promises a weekend filled with joy and celebration, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the Hispanic community in the nation’s capital.
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Photo: Getty