Twenty-four businesses completed the program aimed at promoting entrepreneurship in the Hispanic community.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — ¡Festival Latino! is returning to the Columbus riverfront this weekend for its 28th year. The free, family-friendly event is featuring 24 new, local Hispanic-owned businesses.

The new entrepreneurs are graduates of Mercadito Raíces, a six-month program run by Catholic Social Services designed to help small business owners succeed. Several of this year’s graduates, along with graduates from past years, will participate in the festival.

“It is very rewarding to see some of them creating jobs, also being able to be self-sufficient, being able to live in the community, be productive,” said Clara Brown, program manager for Catholic Social Services who helps run the Mercadito Raíces program.


This year’s cohort from Mercadito Raíces are:

El Auténtico Sabor Colombiano LLCMamacitas Mexican Street Food LLCEl Tazon de Yele LLCTacos y Tortas Dona Chayo LLCZarazu Catering LLCBom Von Candle Art LLCMolcajete Studio LLCSofer Balloon Decor LLCCatering (Name in Process)Bibis by Cacol LLCAncestral Latin Fusion LLCZap Cleaning Services LLCBetzys House Cleaning LLCElectry Najar LLCGolden Cleaning Services LLCLa Cazuela Ecuatoriana LLCE & M Fantasy PartyMimos Creative LLCFabio’s Style Barbershop LLC | The Master Kut BarbershopExpresiones Mexicanas LLCRossmar Services LLCVigio’s Dolci and More Boutique LLCAguas Artesanales El Maguey LLCMolcajete Crafts

Brown expressed enthusiasm about seeing these businesses featured alongside the festival’s traditional cultural offerings.

Festival organizers and vendors worked all-day Friday setting up in preparation for the two-day event of cultural food, music and dance.

“It’s really a chance for not only all the cultures to come together, but each individual culture to have its own celebrations as well,” Jim Fischer with CAPA said.  “The vibe is just tremendous.”

¡Festival Latino! is Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Genoa Park.