Cape Coral is going to be infused with some culture next weekend when the Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosts “Viva, Cape Coral !” downtown.
The festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2011, from 5-10 p.m. on Southeast 47th Terrace between Southeast 10th Place and Coronado Parkway.
Celebrating Hispanic and Island heritage, the event was previously known as a Cinco de Mayo party, which was held in Cultural Park and downtown in years past.
Hispanic Chamber President Veronica Culbertson said the focus changed this year to include everyone and not focus specifically on Latin heritage.
“We wanted to include a more diverse group,” Culbertson said. “We used to do Viva Fort Myers and we wanted to continue that tradition and ease back into it.”
Viva Cape Coral will feature food and merchandise vendors throughout the event, with businesses promoting a variety of products and services and also a kid’s area, according to a press release from the chamber.
Of course, the stage will be the center of entertainment with live performances by Batey Latin Jazz, along with salsa, merengue, raggeton, bachata and hip-hop, local rock bands and international artists.
Individual performances from different cultures will take place throughout the festival, in between the sets of music.
Partnering with Univision of Southwest Florida for the event, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is grateful for the support being provided by the city for the event, according to Culbertson.
She said that as an organization, it’s the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s mission to unite the community regardless of heritage.
Culberton added that all you have to do is show up and have a great time next weekend.
“This is for everybody,” Culbertson said. “This event isn’t for one group or crowd. We’re a bridge between the hispanic and non-hispanic community.”
This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 239-481-1441.