The Tri-City Latino Parade is back in the Chattahoochee Valley for its annual celebration of Latino culture and heritage.
Spectators need no registration, and organizers encourage residents, families and businesses to line Broad Street in Phenix City and Broadway in Columbus for the event, now in its fifth year.
When and where
The parade starts Saturday morning and moves through both downtowns.
- Date: Sept. 19
- Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Starting point: Corner of Dillingham and Broad Street, Phenix City, Alabama
- Route: Down Broad Street to 13th Street, over the 13th Street Bridge into Columbus, right on Broadway, ending at Ninth Street.
What to expect
Organizers describe the parade as a showcase of regional Latino identity, with participants representing multiple countries and community groups.
- Colorful floats and decorated vehicles
- Community organizations and civic groups
- Live music and entertainment
- Cultural dress and performances from across the region.
The Tri-City Latino Association
The parade is organized by the Tri-City Latino Association, an eight-member volunteer group that hosts the annual festival, which has been billed as one of the largest Latino festivals in the Southeast.
Its stated mission is to celebrate Latino traditions, music, dance and culinary arts while remaining open to all cultures, with an explicit commitment to accessibility so people of every ability can take part.
Unlike past years, this year is a parade only, without a following festival. Organizers canceled the festival last year, citing rising fears over potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and a deep sense of unease within the Latino community…