Roughly translated, Carnavalito in Spanish means little carnival in English, usually used to describe a joyful traditional dance and music practiced in the North of Argentina, the western part of Bolivia, as well as northern Chile and parts of Peru.
On Saturday, Sept, 7, Carnavalito on the Road: Fraser Valley Edition, a wide-ranging celebration of Latin American culture, drew hundreds to Langley City's Douglas Park for a day-long celebration of Latin culture.
It had barely begun before Paloma Morales, one of the project coordinators for Carnavalito on the Road was saying it would likely return next year.
"Carnavalito on the Road is an extension of Carnaval del Sol, the biggest Latin American festival in the North Pacific West," Morales explained.
"We have an amazing lineup, we have amazing vendors, we bring all the Latin flavors here in Langley," Morales told the Langley Advance Times.
A celebration of Latin culture in Douglas Park in Langley City. It is the first time Latincouver, a non-profit organization that unites Latin Americans and Latin enthusiasts, has brought Carnavalito on the Road to Langley. The all-day Saturday festival is free to attend. pic.twitter.com/v6zlLmeG1e
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) September 7, 2024
Langley City marked the launch of the event, organized by Latincouver, a non-profit organization that aims to unite Latin Americans and Latin enthusiasts in B.C.
There was music, food, arts and crafts, kid-friendly activities like face painting, Spanish storytelling, and a sand art workshop, while for adults, there was a beer plaza to sample Latin flavours, as well as local Latin American organizations to talk about cultural traditions and a plaza devoted to honouring Indigenous cultures through art, storytelling, and more.
"The spirit and energy of Carnaval del Sol is coming to the Fraser Valley with the launch of Carnavalito on the Road,” commented Latincouver’s Executive Director Paola Murillo.
"We are proud of our Latin American heritage, and treasure this opportunity to share this free cultural celebration with the community," Murillo said.
