Eighth Annual Frederick Latino Festival: Call for Sponsors, Vendors, and Volunteers
The eighth annual Frederick Latino Festival seeks sponsors and vendors for this year’s event on September 30, 2012. Held from noon-5 p.m. at Frederick Community College, the exciting and fun-filled festival offers local businesses, food vendors, community service organizations, non-profits, government agencies, crafters, and artisans a venue for sharing information about goods, services and opportunities in Frederick County.
Contributions from sponsors and business vendors are tax deductible as charitable donations subject to IRS regulations.
State Farm Insurance will sponsor the festival for the third year at the gold level. Verizon Wireless will return as a bronze sponsor.
Gold sponsors are featured prominently at the festival and in all media announcements preceding the festival. They also receive a full-page ad in the event program, appear on advertising posters, and are linked for the year on the festival website.
In addition to gold sponsorships, silver and bronze are also available. Opportunities are available to sponsor any of the day’s activities, including an all-day soccer tournament, the band, a karaoke contest, and pony rides or other children’s activities.
To view sponsorship and vendor benefits or to download registration forms, please visit the website www.fredericklatinofestival.com. For additional information, call Joel Cortez at 301.748.1281 or Jeanie Cronin at 301.696.3473. Sponsors and vendors receive a 30 percent discount on listed prices if they register before July 31, 2012.
All proceeds from the festival benefit the Progreso Latino Scholarship Fund which is managed by The Community Foundation of Frederick County. This scholarship is available to Frederick County high school and college students who demonstrate academic promise and financial need; students with a Latino heritage receive first consideration. Five well-deserving Frederick County students received scholarships to the colleges of their choice this year.
The Latino Festival takes place on the quad between the FCC Library Building and the Field House. This year’s new feature will be a karaoke contest in both Spanish and English for aspiring singers. Latin American food vendors will offer delicious food prepared on the spot, and artists and crafters will display items for sale. Disc jockey Sergio will serve as master of ceremonies between musical performances. Children’s activities will include free pony rides, face painting, clowns, and an obstacle course.
According to Beverly Hendrix, FCC director of diversity, the festival grows each year.
"What began as a celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month has now become a major community event," she said. "People consider it an ‘exclamation point’ in the farewell to summer. Fun for all ages is guaranteed."
Volunteers are also needed to market and advertise the festival. Anyone interested in helping make the festival a success should contact Ms. St-Johns at 301.624.2834 or tst-johns@frederick.edu.
The Latino Festival was founded by Buena Gente Magazine, Frederick Community College, and the Hispanic Business Foundation of Maryland. For more information, contact Beverly Hendrix at 301.624.2711 or bhendrix@frederick.edu.
