United Festival celebrates Latin American culture ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The annual United Festival took over Beale Street Landing in Tom Lee Park on Sunday, bringing together Memphians to celebrate Latin American music, food and community ahead of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins Tuesday.

After sunset, the Mighty Lights on Hernando de Soto Bridge were lit to resemble the flags of various Latin American countries to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month.

“This really is to unite both the English-speaking community, Spanish-speaking community, even within our own Spanish-speaking community,” La Prensa Latina CEO Jairo Arguijo said.

This year’s festival focused on cumbia, a traditional folk music genre from Latin America.

“We have the cumbia. We have the dance competitions coming out, different styles of cumbia,” Arguijo said. “To have cumbia on the river means a lot to me, to a lot of people that are here.”

The festival also introduced a competitive eating competition featuring burritos. Quetzal Martinez, a participant in the burrito eating contest, described the dish’s significance despite originating in the US.

“It takes a lot of Latino ingredients, but it combines them in a way that people haven’t traditionally eaten in Mexico or any Latin American country. So it’s a really good metaphor for America, coming together and being a blend of cultures,” Martinez said.

Some festivalgoers said members of the local Latino community are still affected by recent immigration detainments.

“The Latin American community, much like any immigrant community, has been in a very tough time right now, because we have been the target of so many attacks,” state representative Gabby Salinas said.

Despite those challenges, attendees said the festival highlights the contributions of Latino Memphians to the city.

“With Hispanic people, they make sure things grow, whether it’s buildings, whether it’s community,” festivalgoer John Herrada said.

“I’m really just super proud of the people that are able to come out, to come and enjoy this, to come and really show our heritage to the world, to Memphis,” Arguijo said.

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