by Mary Rupert
Downtown Kansas City, Kansas, is preparing for the Latino Arts Festival on Saturday, June 3.
Chuck Schlittler, executive director of the Downtown Shareholders, said a free festival and parade will be held Saturday. The parade begins at noon at 4th and Minnesota Avenue.
The festival is a joint effort of the Downtown Shareholders, Hallmark, the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce, El Centro, H.E.A.R.T., the Bank of Labor and others, he said.
For the festival, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, the 700 block of Minnesota will be blocked off to 8th Street, he said.
Two bands will perform, he said, and there will be food from two vendors available for purchase.
Low-rider vehicles will be on display at a car show, with a car hopping contest at 5:30 p.m.
There also will be several Latino visual artists with displays in the KCK Chamber building, he said. In addition, the festival will have a children’s area.
A parade will begin at noon at 4th and Minnesota and travel to 12th and Minnesota, he said. Joe Ray, known as “Mr. Low Rider,” will be in the parade, he said.
The parade will feature public officials, plus about 40 low-rider vehicles and a former Miss Kansas, Schlittler said.
Sandra Olivas, vice president of the Bank of Labor, will be the emcee for the parade and festival.
Minnesota Avenue will be closed for the parade. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1401287576610495/.