The Festival Latino de Ocracoke Friday to Sunday (Nov. 9 to 11) celebrates the special unity Ocracoke has with its Latino community .
Produced by the island non-profit Ocracoke Alive in partnership with Ocracoke’s vibrant Latino community, the festival will feature music, ballet folklorico dances, incredible food, games and more.
“We are proud of the cultural bridges that our small community has built between the Latino families and other island residents,” said David Tweedie, Ocracoke Alive director. “Our love and appreciation of each other makes our isolated island a unique, welcoming place to live and visit for folks from all walks of life.”
Festival director Freddy Contreras agrees that this colorful event reflects a special relationship.
“The Latino community has become a fundamental part of Ocracoke Island over the past 20 years,” he said. “We believe that it is very important to come together, celebrate, and keep building more bridges for ourselves and for our future generations. We need to unify rather than divide.”
Now in its third year, the festival kicks off from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, with a musical concert with Angeles Diaz in the Community Center. Snacks and drinks will be available.
Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the celebration moves to the School Road grounds of Books to Be Red, the United Methodist Church and Ocracoke School with performances by Mariachi Charros de Mexico, Rafaga Norteña, Jimmy Roman & 4 Con Son, and Ballet Folklorico de Ocracoke.
A multitude of traditional Latino delicacies will be on hand for foodies, as well as a Raiguela tournament and other games for kids of all ages.
Saturday evening, the party moves to the Ocracoke School gym for an early evening concert from 7:30 to 9 p.m., and then on to the Ocracoke Community Center for a Latin community dance with Rafaga Norteña.
The weekend concludes Sunday with a basketball tournament from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Ocracoke School gym. Cash prizes will be awarded, and food will also be available.
Those who want to compete should contact Daimir at 252-945-3231.
Proceeds from the festival will Benefit Ocracoke School and Ocracoke Alive’s community programming.
For more information visit www.ocracokealive.org or contact 252-921- 0260 (English), or 252-588-2242 (Spanish).
Festival Latino de Ocracoke schedule
Viernes, 9 de noviembre/ Friday, Nov. 9
7 – 9 p.m. Centro Comunitario de Ocracoke. ¡Gran concierto con la presentación de Ángeles Diaz! ¡Venta de bebidas y antojitos mexicanos durante la noche!
7 – 9 p.m. Ocracoke Community Center. Music concert with Angeles Diaz. Food and drinks.
Sábado, 10 de noviembre/ Saturday, Nov. 10
11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Area de Books to be Red y Camino de la Escuela. Presentaciones musicales incluyendo a Mariachi Charros de Mexico, Rafaga Norteña, Jimmy Roman & 4 Con Son, Ballet Folclorico de Ocracoke! Muestra Gastronomica, Torneo de Raiguela, y Juegos para Niños!
11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Books to be Red Lawn & School Road. Musical performances by Mariachi Charros de Mexico, Rafaga Norteña, Jimmy Roman & 4 Con Son, and Ballet Folklorico de Ocracoke! Traditional Food, Raiguela Tournament, and Games for Kids.
7:30 – 9 p.m. Gimnasio de la Escuela: Musica a cargo de Jimmy Roman & 4 Con Son, Angeles Diaz, Ballet Folclorico de Ocracoke, Guadalupe Martinez, y Jasmin Flores. Presentacion de bailes y más!
7:30 – 9 p.m. School Gym. Concert featuring Jimmy Roman & 4 Con Son, Angeles Diaz, Guadalupe Martinez y Jasmin Flores, Ballet Folklorico de Ocracoke and more.
9 p.m. – media noche. Centro Comunitario de Ocracoke. ¡Gran baile con grupo Rafaga Norteña!
9 p.m. – midnight. Ocracoke Community Center Latin Dance with Rafaga Norteña!
Domingo, 11 de noviembre/ Sunday, Nov. 11
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Gimnasio de la Escuela. Torneo de baloncesto/varonil y femenil!
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. School Gym. Basketball tournament/men & women.
Porción de las ganacias se destinarán a la escuela de Ocracoke.
A portion of proceeds to benefit Ocracoke School.
Para información sobre hospedaje/lodging information, http://www.visitocracokenc.com. Información (Español): 252-588-2242.
