Article, Photos & Videos by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media (see video links and photo gallery below)

El Paso was on everyone’s mind at this weekends Colorado Latino Festival. It was also in their hearts as various speakers poured their hearts out in sympathy and solidarity for the victims, their families and all communities that have been victimized by the ongoing rash of domestic terrorism in the United States of America.

Organizer Jose Beteta, co-organizer of the Colorado Latino Festival along with co-producer Tamil Maldonado

Organizer Jose Beteta, co-organizer of the Colorado Latino Festival along with co-producer Tamil Maldonado had hoped thousands more would have come out to 4th Annual Latinx Colorado Latino Festival in Boulder, Colorado. Beteta told Latin Life Denver Media, “Unity is stronger than fear. We cannot allow ourselves to stop doing the things we enjoy in life, things like this festival that bring us together as a community. We cannot stop just because some people are creating fear and division.”

Beteta acknowledged that the murders in El Paso and Ohio had an impact on the turnout for this year’s festival. “Look around, there are not the same amount of people that have come out in year’s past but there are still a lot of people here,” he said. The festival was originally scheduled for June but fear of President Trump’s  threatened ICE raids played a large part in cancelling the event which was then rescheduled for August 4th at Boulder’s infamous city park band-shell. See interview HERE (follows mariachi performance).

Raquel Garcia showed off her amazing voice with Mexican and American renditions

While many stayed away thousands still came out to enjoy a full day music, food, lots of fun and culture. Not to mention a variety of vendors and entertainment.  Countries from throughout South, Central and North America were represented and recognized for the diverse flavor of Latinismo they bring to the festival. Latin Life Denver was a proud media sponsor.

John Veit, Owner of Spot On Sound Productions once again provided superior sound quality for the main stage.

There was non stop entertainment including a break dance competition that drew dozens of contestants, some as far away as Iowa (see video). Las Dahilas, an all Latina mariachi group from Colorado romanticized the crowd with their beautiful music (see video). Raquel Garcia brought the house down with her amazing vocals. They called her the Whitney Houston Mexicana (see video). Los Mochchetes cranked up the energy level with their high powered Mexican rock (see video follows break dancing). Barrio E’s Puerto Rican bomba rhythms kept the energy flowing (see video) followed by some Zumba (see video) Then came what’s regarded as Colorado’s top salsa band, Conjunto Colores (see video).  The dance party was on. The day ended with Quilombo who kept the crowd dancing all the way home (see video).

Photos by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media