LA PAGINA OFICIAL DEL
FESTIVAL LATINOAMERICANO DE WASHINGTON, DC
2000

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

More than 750,000 are expected to attend the 30th Annual Latin American Festival of Washington, DC, and the Festival Committee is hard at work to make this year's celebration the best to-date. The week-long festivities will culminate in a two-day FIESTA along the famed Presidential Parade Route of Pennsylvania Avenue, between 7th-14th Streets, in historic downtown DC.

This year, the Latin American Festival is co-hosting two additional very special events:

• PUPUSA FEST. The popular Salvadorean food known as Pupusa will be highlighted in a mini-fest held on August 26th in Adams Morgan. Area restaurants and individual cooks will compete to win the honor of Best Pupusa Maker. Local and nationally recognized Chefs will judge this hotly contested event.
• ANDEAN FESTIVAL. To be held in October, the Andean Festival will enjoy the participation of local folkloric groups performing at the historic Lincoln Theater on U Street and will feature the dances and costumes of Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.

During the week of the Festival, an array of festivities will take place in DC neighborhoods and downtown. Planned events during the week will include:

• PARADE OF NATIONS AND FOLKLORE. The highlight of this years festivities will be a grand Parade on Sunday, September 24th from 11 am to 2 pm along Constitution Avenue. Thousands of community members volunteer to prepare colorful floats representing their home countries or local affiliations, will participate in the parade. Lavish costumes and mobile dance troupes have historically been a crowd-pleasing part of the Festival. The Festival coordinates this effort, provides guidance, and monetary and logistical support to the groups involved in the assembly of the floats. Each year, the top floats are selected by a group of Honorary Judges to receive prizes for their excellence in preparation and creativity.
• ELECTION OF FESTIVAL QUEEN. During the Spring and Summer, local clubs and organizations representing various countries participating in the Festival hold semi-final contests to elect "princesses." These princesses ride in the floats during he PARADE OF NATIONS AND FOLKLORE and later compete for the position of Queen of the Festival. The Queen's reign lasts for one year, and she presides at all the Festival activities.
• MUSICAL STAGES: Several large stages will be placed along Pennsylvania Avenue for the festivities on September 23rdand 24th. Folkloric presentations from participating countries and contemporary musical talent for every age group will be showcased, with diverse musical programming planned. Top-name entertainers will fill the air with the contagious beats of salsa, cumbia and merengue. Past performers have included Celia Cruz, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Tito Puente, Rumba Tres, and Johnny Ventura, among others.
• FOOD BOOTHS: Always an important part of this festival, food from every corner of the Americas will be available all day on September 23rd and 24th. This year, food booths will be arranged according to regions in order to display the vast variety of Latin American cuisine.
• GALA DANCE: This major social event has traditionally attracted more than 2,000 people each year. Well-known Latino entertainers perform at the Gala, which will take place on September 16th.
• OPEN AIR MASS/ECUMENICAL SERVICE: A large religious service is planned as an opening ceremony on Sunday, September 17th.
• ART EXHIBIT AND PEÑA FOLKLORICA: In conjunction with Centro de Arte, talented local artists will exhibit their work at the "Galeria Inti" throughout the week's festivities. A Peña Folklorica, featuring eclectic music from throughout the Americas, will also be co-sponsored with Centro de Arte.
• FIREWORKS DISPLAY: This Mexican-style fireworks display, complete with multi-shaped displays of light, is sure to light the sky on Saturday the 23rd.
• SENIOR CITIZENS DAY: Each year since its inception, the Festival honors community elders by hosting a luncheon that celebrates their wisdom and role in our community. In addition, this year the Festival will also sponsor seminars and an inter-generational luncheon and social with children, held in conjunction with Children's Day.
• CHILDREN'S DAY: This year, children will be celebrated in a cultural extravaganza that will be complemented by educational activities showcasing different countries throughout the Americas and Latinos' contribution to the United States.
• WOMEN' DAY AND MEN'S DAY: Seminars and roundtables on the status of women and issues unique to men in our society will be held. At the end of the sessions, a mixed-gender social event is planned.
• EDUCATION & DIA DEL LIBRO: Featuring seminars covering Head Start to university-level education, Dia del Libro will also include a small Latin American book fair.
• EMBASSY RECEPTIONS: Five embassies will hold receptions with the objective of educating community members and private sector representatives about international trade agreements in the Americas, including Merco Sur, Pacto Andino, NAFTA, Caribbean Basin Initiative, and Aladi. This effort will be the basis for this year's economic development day
• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DAY: The economic status of Latinos and the economic agenda of Latin American countries as developed through its trade agreements will be paramount to this day. We'll explore such initiatives as the Pacto Andino, MercoSur, Aladi, NAFTA and the Caribbean Basin Initiative and the role they play and in the U.S. national economy. Chairman Alan Greenspan has been invited to address Festival participants on this day.
• HEALTH DAY: This day will be devoted to educational and employment opportunities within the health field.

Para mas informacion contacte:
Comite Festival Latinoamericano XXX
2329 Champlain Street, N.W., Suite 200
Washington, DC 20009
Telefono: (202)328-3040
Fax: (202)328-3027

email: festival@dclatino.zzn.com