Viva la Fiesta

Festival season in Kansas City rages on in late September, the month of Hispanic Heritage, and the little fiesta that could is back for a 24th go-round. The history of Fiesta Hispana dates back to 1980, when local Hispanic leaders organized a Mexican street festival in a two-block section of Southwest Boulevard. As the years went by, more and more Hispanic cultures joined the fun. In 1983, the party moved downtown to Barney Allis Plaza (12th Street and Wyandotte), where it remains today. Fiesta Hispana is no longer a KC secret: An average overall attendance of 30,000 to 40,000 now makes it the Midwest’s largest free, public Hispanic event. Impresionante.
This year’s bill includes San Antonio’s Ambixion, KC’s own Tejano band Las Estrellas, Afro-salsa group Makuza and South American folk act Andean Express. Other attractions from the festival include dance troupes from Spain and Panama, cuisine from the likes of Brazil and Chile, and a simulcast of tonight’s Kansas City Wizards game.
Fiesta Hispana kicks off at noon today and Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, call 816-289-3005 or 816-452-4712, or see Fiesta Hispana.

Sept. 22-23, 2007