Groove to hot Latin sounds and indulge in spicy culinary flavors at the 26th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival. The festival, July 27 and 28, is a celebration of all things salsa–the food, music and dance. Festivities take place at Plaza Park, Fifth and “B” streets in historic downtown Oxnard from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. both days.
About 35,000 festivalgoers are treated each year to live Latin and salsa bands, get a chance to show off their dance moves and sample a variety of flavors in the salsa tasting tent. The two days also feature salsa dance lessons, a vendor marketplace, international cuisine and a kids’ zone.
Entertainment: A lineup featuring salsa, Latin and Cuban sounds performed by musicians from around the world attract music lovers and salsa dancers of every skill level. This year’s entertainment includes Cuban percussionist and Latin Grammy nominee Calixto Oviedo and renowned Cuban singer Lily Hernandez Orquesta on the Saturday of the festival and the Yari Moré Latin Band on Sunday.
Salsa Tasting Tent: The tent is filled with dozens of different flavors of salsa ranging in taste from fresh and fruity, sweet and smoky to mild and scorching hot—all created by local restaurants and gourmet grocers. Admission is $5 per person and includes a bag of fresh Mission tortilla chips and 10 tasting tickets.
Dancing With Our Community Stars competition will be held on Sunday, July 28, at 1 p.m. The contest is a salsa version of the hit TV show “Dancing With The Stars.” Seven local celebrities are paired with the area’s top dance instructors. All competitors work hard on their routines to not only earn the top prize but to raise money for their charities. Since its inception 12 years ago, more than $850,000 has been raised and paid to local charities.
Friday Night Kickoff Concert: To start off a weekend of nonstop entertainment, the Oxnard Salsa Festival will present a free concert on Friday July 26 featuring legendary percussionist Pete Escobedo.
Escobedo is known worldwide for his live performances, session work and solo albums. For more than 50 years, he has been breaking down the barriers between smooth jazz, salsa, Latin jazz and contemporary music.
Sponsored by Estrella Jalisco and LP, the concert is from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Plaza Park in Oxnard. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Concertgoers can bring their own chairs for lawn seating. No lawn umbrellas are allowed. Food can be purchased from food trucks (or bring your own). Beer and wine margaritas will be available (no outside alcohol is permitted). Concert goers may pick up free admission tickets prior to the concert from Oxnard Downtown Merchants.
The Oxnard Salsa Festival is presented by the Oxnard Downtowners. Sponsors include Bud Light, McDonald’s, Players Casino, The Port of Hueneme, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Chevrolet, Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau, Geico and other community partners.
For a listing of nearby hotels and visitor attractions, visit www.visitoxnard.com or call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1‐800‐2‐Oxnard. For a list of entertainers and concert times, Dancing With Our Community Stars participants and their charities, where to pick up free Friday night concert tickets and general festival information, call 805‐535‐4060 or visit www.oxnardsalsafestival.com.
Oxnard Salsa Festival
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