A festival celebrating Latin culture is coming to Golden and is appropriately named Fiesta Dorada, which translates to golden festival.
The brainchild of Jessie Paloposki and Diego Castro, proprietors of Mamacita’s Empanadas, Fiesta Dorada will be held on April 27 from 4-7 p.m. at the Golden Riverfront Pavilion. The festival will feature Latino music, workshops such as an empanada folding workshop, an artisan market and salsa lessons from Anna and Tobi of Revelstoke.
“We’re really focusing on vendors and artisans who are selling items normally found in South America,” said Paloposki.
When Paloposki and Castro began their empanada business, they had a vision to value multiculturalism and foster diversity, especially in rural communities.
“I’ve always wanted to do something to give back to the community and integrate Latino culture into Golden and beyond,” said Paloposki.
When the couple decided to organize the festival, they came to realize that there was a larger contingency of Latinos living in Golden, as well as Revelstoke. Castro explained that many of the folks from this community are unseen in communities like Golden and Revelstoke as they do a lot of behind-the-scenes work, and also noted that they work long hours.
Bringing together the community at large and the people who help keep these communities running has motivated the duo to make this festival happen.
“These are the guys that are behind the scenes most of them working in the kitchen, keeping the hotels running, doing the cleaning…it’s a great way to introduce the community to [those] who may go unseen,” said Castro.
As for what Paloposki and Castro are most looking forward to with the festival, Castro said that after experiencing the typical stress that comes from organizing a large-scale event, “once the band starts playing, it’s going to be party time for us.”
The Latin Beat and Deejay Zorrow will be playing from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. Those coming from out of town are encouraged to camp at Golden Riverfront Campground. Information about the event and tickets for the Latin Beat show can be found on Fiesta Dorada’s website.
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