Festival de la Familia Preview
Festival de la Familia
Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
www.festivaldelafamilia.org
Price: $10 adults/$7 seniors/free for children 12 and younger
Hours: Sun, April 29 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The 21st annual Festival de la Familia brings the rich cultures of Venezuela, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Belize, Jamaica and Argentina to Sacramento. Celebrate diverse Latin cultures with music, dancing, artwork, native foods, crafts and workshops. Every year whole generations of families come to enjoy this unique festival with their loved ones and leave with memories and cultural influences that last lifetimes.
Parking/Directions
Festival parking is available at Cal Expo for $10 per car.
Click here for driving directions.
Delectable Edibles
If you've ever wanted to go on an international tasting tour, do it all in one day right here in Sacramento. Festival vendors will offer sweet, succulent and savory dishes from all over Latin America, and there's always plenty to please even the most finicky of palates. This is a great opportunity to sample traditional favorites and find exotic dishes you've never tried.
Flash Dance
Hundreds of dancers will perform everything from traditional Aztec moves to modern Latino dances, and the festival's evolution of dance is a colorful spectacle for all to enjoy. Keep an eye out for flash mobs of dancers which break out anywhere, not just on the festival's exciting stages.
Related: Best Art Galleries in Sacramento
Discover the World
Kids will love the festival's passport to fun, which comes with the promise of lore, culture and lifestyle lessons about Latin America. Explore the world while creating traditional crafts, helping to build an adobe house and even earning a prize for completing fun activities from each country.
Festival De La Familia Arts & Crafts
Shopping and the Arts
The culture and heritage of each country in Latin America is represented throughout the celebration. Dancers, vendors and other performers will be spread throughout Cal Expo with more than 200 booths to provide activities, programs and community outreach for the whole family. Building A is dedicated to the original work of talented Latino artists, and shoppers may enjoy a stroll through the open-air mercado. Buy fine arts and crafts and win prizes from local businesses at booths throughout the festival.
Dining Away from the Festival
Café Europa
1537 Howe Ave., Ste. 116
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 779-0737
cafeeuropasacramento.wordpress.com/Price: $6 to $15
Hours: Mon to Sat – 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy traditional Greek and American favorites at this kid-friendly restaurant. Vegetarian choices including falafel, dolmades, spanakopita or tiropita are available, as are hamburgers, and lamb and chicken dishes. The gyros fries come highly recommended: Feta cheese, lemon juice, oregano and chicken or beef gyro meat take these potatoes to new heights.
Uptown Café
1121 Del Paso Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 649-2233
Price: $5.00 to $13.00
Hours: Tue to Fri – 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Sat to Sun – 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The tiny, iconic Uptown Café is an eclectic spot generally only known to locals. The portions are generous and include traditional choices for breakfast and lunch as well as more unique fare. Crab benedict, beignets, spicy shrimp omelets and tri-tip dishes are all made in-house, and locals rave about the corned beef, Monte Cristo sandwiches and light-as-a-feather pancakes.
Related: Top Kids Cooking and Baking Classes in Sacramento
Where to Stay
Amber House Bed and Breakfast
1315 22nd Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 444-8085
www.amberhouse.com/
Price: $179 to $279Step away from Latin America for a bit with a two-course, gourmet breakfast and a little time with the family on the front porch or relaxing in the garden. The kids are sure to love complimentary, fresh chocolate-chip cookies at turn down, and parents always appreciate fresh coffee at the bedroom door in the morning.
Marriott TownePlace Suites
1784 Tribute Rd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
(800) 257-3000
www.marriott.com/
The Marriott offers both traditional and extended-stay lodging options. The hotel is pet friendly and features free, high-speed Internet access, a fitness center and delivery from local restaurants.
Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
