Fiesta Hispana kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month in Kansas City. Here’s who’s performing
Hispanic Heritage month in Kansas City starts with a bang. Fiesta Hispana, the huge free, weekend-long festival celebrating all things Latino, kicks off on Friday at 5 p.m.
The festival — celebrating its 43rd year — is one of the biggest in the Midwest. As usual, it will be at Barney Allis Plaza in downtown Kansas City, at 1220 Wyandotte St.
Gladys Jaggers, a new member of Fiesta Hispana’s board of directors, has been to the festival plenty of times as an attendee and told The Star she’s excited to see the planners’ hard work come to fruition.
“This is a three-day event that is put on by technically 12 volunteers, and we put in a lot of tears, sweat and hard work,” Jaggers said. “I’m just excited to see it all come together and just seeing all the families enjoy themselves.”
She said she is also looking forward to seeing Los Cadetes de Linares live, since she grew up listening to them with her mom.
From Mexican and Salvadoran food trucks to Puerto Rican performers, to different exhibits and vendors, Barney Allis Plaza is the place to be if you want to celebrate Hispanic culture and community in Kansas City.
Fiesta Hispana is open at these times over the weekend:
Friday: 5 to 11 p.m.
Saturday: noon to 11 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 9:30 p.m.
WHO IS PERFORMING?
Local and national bands will be performing throughout the weekend.
Friday
5 p.m: Selekto Show
6 p.m: Mariachi Elandariego
7 p.m: El Grito Mexicano, led by the Consulado de Mexico
7:30 p.m: Willy Vela y Los Aguilillos
8:30 p.m: Johnny Molina y Los Sabaneros de Aniceto
11 p.m: A Blanco y Negro
DJ Rafamix will endbe on the turntables throughout the night
Saturday
1 p.m: Mariachi Fuego
2 p.m: Aventura Distinta
3 p.m: Ballet Folklorico de Topeka
3:45 p.m: Folklorico del Sol
4:15 p.m:Stranded in the City
5:15 p.m: Rose Marie’s Fiesta Mexicana
6 p.m: Grupo Picante
6:45 p.m: Paradize Band
7:45 p.m: Las Estrellas
9 p.m: The Latin Breed featuring Jay Perez
DJ Jalapeño will end the night
Sunday
12:45 p.m: to be announced
1:30 p.m: El Rebozo de Maria
2:30 p.m: Nancy Peña
3 p.m: Ayllu Band
4:15 p.m: Huapangeros KC & Guerreras de KC
5 p.m: El Grupo Atotonilco
5:45 p.m: Festejando KC
6 p.m: Aztlan
6:45 p.m: Eli Lugo
7 p.m: Grupo Ultimo Intento
8 p.m: L Los Cadetes de Linares
Deejay Luigi El Picosito will end the night
PARKING?
You’ll have to find free street parking around the venue or pay for parking in one of the many parking lots downtown.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
The kids aren’t left behind. There’s a section just for them. Children can have their faces painted, go wild in bouncy houses and participate in more activities.
Some of the local foods at the festival include:
- Empanada Madness
- La Hamburgesa Loca
- La Mexicanita
The festival will also be hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Heart to Heart International will be giving vaccines and boosters on Friday, while the Kansas City Health Department will be on hand for Saturday.
Jaggers warns visitors that it will be a hot one this weekend, with temperatures expected to rise into the 90s.
This story was originally published September 15, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
