If you’re looking for a taste of Latin America right here in Wilmington, look no further than the annual Cape Fear Latinos Festival. This year’s festival was held on Saturday, September 30th, at Live Oak Bank Pavilion in downtown Wilmington. The amazing blend of cultures and community was instantly noticeable as visitors passed a display of flags from Spanish-speaking countries while families in traditional costumes posed in front of them excitedly as a Spanish-speaking band played on stage.
The atmosphere was energetic and lively, and everyone was smiling. If you love Latin American food this is definitely the place for you. The lines for Tacos, Tomatinas, and Enchiladas were longer than the lines at Disney World. I got to try amazing tacos made with fresh carnitas, lettuce, sliced tomato, and a verde sauce. It tasted like no other Mexican cuisine I have tried before, and I can’t wait to go back and have more. I also tasted a sample of different types of Pupuso - a stuffed tortilla from El Salvador. In addition to savory foods, a food truck called Antojitos Wilmington offered tropical shakes in mango, pineapple, or raspberry.
However, food isn’t all this vibrant festival had to offer. There was live music on stage featuring Spanish songs, and although I couldn’t understand every word, I still enjoyed hearing authentic songs from a different culture.
To learn about culture, visitors could explore booths selling a variety of Latino goods ranging from Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) skulls to colorful ponchos to beaded jewelry. All the vendors were genuine and greeted shoppers with full smiles and offers to help in any way possible. I loved seeing a different side of Wilmington and getting a glimpse of another culture in my very town.
I would highly recommend this festival and will certainly be attending next year. To learn more about Wilmington events like this, you can check out the City of Wilmington’s event calendar at: https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/residents/calendar