ìA lot of people, especially in the Utah community, think that everyoneís from Mexico,î said Bountiful resident Francisco Calderon, one of the main organizers of the festival. ìBut we want to say that we have different food, music, everything from Mexico.
ìItís a big Hispanic community, and we have a lot of diversity.î
Another major goal of the festival, whose previous home was at the Quality Inn in Salt Lake, is community integration. By sharing more about their lifestyles and culture, Calderon hopes, the two groups will be better able to understand and communicate with each other.
ìOur target is to get the South American community integrated with the Utah community,î he said. Calderon also serves as part of the Bountiful/Davis Art Center (BDAC) board. ìWhen people know more about our community, it will be easier for the two groups to come together.î
Those who attend Saturdayís festival will have a world of knowledge right at their fingertips. Several different folk dance groups will be attending the event, as well as musicians offering traditional music such as Brazilís Samba and Capoeira, Colombiaís Vallenato and Cumbias, and Venezuelaís Merengue.
Food booths offering cuisine from all of the featured countries will be at the festival, along with jewelry, textiles, paintings, and other art from those same countries. Their will also be business stands, including some from sponsors such as El Semanal Magazine and the Latino Community Center, and jumping and games for kids.
ìThere will be good food and good music,î said Calderon. ìEveryone should come.î
For Davis County residents, who recently played host to another international collection of artists, such a welcome will likely strike them as another invitation to party.
ìI think that there is a sense that people in this area have an appreciation for international cultures,î said BDAC Director Emma Dugal. ìHopefully, the South American Festival will be in Bountiful again next year.î
jwardell@davisclipper.com
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