Press Release

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Ocracoke will host the first annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke.

Events will take place at Ocracoke School from 11 AM to 9 PM, followed by a dance at the Ocracoke Community Center from 9 PM to midnight.

Dance, Food, Piñatas, and Much More!

The Festival Latino de Ocracoke will be a day to honor vibrant Hispanic traditions, and a day to celebrate the unity of all who are part of this great community. Through delicious authentic food, traditional dances and music, exciting games, crafts, and fun for all ages, organizers hope this festival will bring the community together to experience and enjoy the friendship of our cultures.

Ocracoke Island has become the home to many Latinos over the past 20 years. Just as the Ocracoke community has opened its doors and embraced many Hispanic families, Festival Latino hopes to invite the community to join in a fun-filled day of sharing and learning that will strengthen the bonds between cultures through the celebration of differences and the appreciation of all we have in common.

“We are very excited to partner with Ocracoke’s Latino community and assist them in producing this event,” says David Tweedie, executive director of the community non-profit Ocracoke Alive. “Ocracoke’s Hispanic residents have become an integral part of our community as friends, co-workers, and business and property owners. We are thrilled for this opportunity to learn more about their culture."

Festival committee members include Freddy Contreras, Eduardo Chavez, Gloria Perez, Adrian Espinoza, Cira Badillo, and David Tweedie.

In addition to performances and presentations by Ocracoke residents, visiting artists will include dances by Ballet Folklorico Guadalupo and music by Fantasia Huasteca. 

“The majority of Latin Festivals around the nation are created with the main objective of celebrating the Latino or Hispanic culture. However, we want this one to be a little different,” said Freddy Contreras, member of the festival committee. “We want this festival to be an occasion where all participate, build friendships, and get to know each other’s cultures. We share a wonderful place as a home and I personally think that we all should always be united in working for the best of this community.”  

The event receives financial support from Ocracoke Alive, the Ocracoke Civic and Business Association as well as from businesses and individual sponsors. For information on how to become a festival patron or volunteer, and details about the schedule of events, visit www.ocracokealive.org.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, November 11:  7 PM~ Learn Traditional Ballet Folklorico Dancing with Fabian Vargas of Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano (Ocracoke School Gym)

Saturday, November 12, Ocracoke School

11:00 AM–6:00 PM ~ Food, Music, Games. Tickets used for games/food/workshops.

11:00 AM ~ Pinata Judging. Vote for your favorite!

12:00 PM ~ Papel Piquado Workshop, Loteria Game, Pinata Breaking, Face Painting

12:30 PM ~ Performance by Mariachi Espuelas de America

1:00 PM ~ Presentation on Latino Dances, Loteria Game, Raiguela Round 1, Pinata Breaking, Face Painting

1:30 PM ~ Cintas Competition (Kids), bring your own bike or use ours!

2:00 PM ~ Presentation on Latino Food Ingredients, Loteria Game, Raiguela Round 2, Cintas Competition (Adults), Pinata Breaking, Face Painting

2:30 PM ~ Performance by Mariachi Espuelas de America, Cintas Competition (Kids)

3:00 PM ~ Tortilla Making Workshop with Gloria Perez (Please register if you wish to participate, observers welcome), Presentation on Pinata Making, Loteria, Raiguela Quarterfinals, Cintas Competition (Adults), Face Painting

3:30 PM ~ Cintas Competition (Kids)

4:00 PM ~ Guacamole-making Workshop with Eduardo Chavez (Please register if you wish to participate, observers welcome), Raiguela Semifinals, Cintas Competition (Adults), Pinata Breaking

4:30 PM ~ Performance by Mariachi Espuelas de America

5:00 PM ~ Raiguela Finals, Pinata Breaking

7:00 – 9:00 PM ~ Kids movie at Deepwater Theater, School Road

7:00- 9:00 PM ~ Festival Latino de Ocracoke Concert/Performance featuring, Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, Fantasia Huasteca Band, and Guitarras Mexicanas de Ocracoke (Javier Ibarra, Reyes Gómez, Raúl Espinosa y Adrián Espinosa). School Gym

9:00 PM-Midnight ~ Dance with music by the Fantasia Huasteca Band & DJ Marlin. All welcome! Cash bar. (Ocracoke Community Center)