Next Saturday, September 12, the main street of downtown Marion, in McDowell County, will host the 2026 edition of United Cultures Festival, an event that celebrates the Latino communities of that area of western North Carolina.
The festival is organized by the Latin American United Center (CULA). It will take place that Saturday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, coinciding with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. Admission is free.
The festival was born in 2022 from Mira Nuestras Voces, the first mural that celebrated Latino culture in McDowell County.
“For a long time, other people have told our story. United Cultures gives us the opportunity to tell it ourselves,” said Margarita Yanes, executive director of CULA.
The programing
The afternoon kicks off at 3:00 pm with Furia Tropikal and a tribute to Central America. At 4:00 pm, Mariachi Juvenil Los García will take the stage in the first of several performances.
The main show will be presented by the Ballet Folklórico Mexican Tradition of Julio Ruiz, which will perform three times during the afternoon: with the Mariachi Juvenil Los García at 5:10 pm, with Banda Los Guanajuatenses at 6:35 pm and at the closing from 7:15 to 8:00 pm
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On the other hand, and scheduled for 5:40 pm, Marion Mayor Steve Little will proclaim Hispanic Heritage Month and the national anthem will be sung.
The program also includes the United Cultures Awards, which recognize leadership and community service, and raffles at various times throughout the afternoon.
For more information: www.culawnc.org.
