Grupo Latino Lethbridge celebrating Colombian Independence Day

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on July 20, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Today is Colombian Independence Day and Grupo Latino Lethbridge is celebrating by combining traditional food and Latin Rock at a party in Galt Gardens.

The Bandeja Paisa Latin Rock Fest is a free event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today that will highlight one of the most popular Colombian culinary dishes; the bandeja paisa, that combines breakfast and lunch items and it is typically eaten in Medellin, Colombia.

Patricio Sarmiento, organizer and representative for Grupo Latino Lethbridge says this is the second event they’ve organized this summer and they are hoping to give the Lethbridge community a reason to come downtown once again.

“This is our second event and it is also based on food,” Sarmiento says. “The last one was Taco Festival and was a huge success, so we hope people come and try out the bandeja paisa and celebrate with us the Colombian Independence Day.”

Sarmiento explains that the root of many celebrations in Latin America is food, then you add music and everyone is bound to have a good time. That is why they are combining Latin Rock music with the bandeja paisa to celebrate today.

“We are also very excited to show case Rock music in Spanish, as it is something that has been around for generations. We will be bringing a band from Calgary where the members are from different Latin-American countries and they will be playing music from the 70s, 80s and 90s.”

He says many people around the world know who Shakira is, a Colombian singer popular for the way she moves her hips, but what many ignore about her is that in her early career she sang Rock in Spanish.

Today those in attendance will be able to listen to music from famous rock stars like Carlos Santana, Soda Stereo, Mana, Molotov and Enanitos Verdes, among others.

“We will also have Mi Colombia Linda showcasing some amazing Colombian dances with their vibrant and colourful outfits,” says Sarmiento.

He adds the rockfest will also include the popular hot-sauce challenge offered during the Taco Festival, even though it’s not a Colombian tradition because its dishes tend to be on the mild side.

“We will also have beer gardens that have an admission fee for $5 or a non-perishable food item, with the proceeds going to the Food Bank, and I am trying to bring Aguardiente, a Colombian liquor but it has been hard to bring here, but I am trying. We are having Refajo though, another Colombian drink that is a mix of beer and Colombiana, a pop from Colombia.”

Sarmiento says the Refajo is something they drink in Colombia during hot days, and since the weather forecast is calling for a hot day today, what better way to stay cool while enjoying the live entertainment and Latin-American cuisine.

“We are having food vendors around the park, but also food trucks for people to have a good variety of food.”