Everyone’s Welcome to the Colombian Independence Day Celebration!

By Ruben Hernandez

¡Viva Colombia! ¡Viva día de la independencia!

The annual Colombia Independence Day celebration will take place on Saturday, July 20 from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the American Royal Palace banquet hall and conference center at 1915 W. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix.

This festive and fun-filled event is sponsored by the Casa de la Cultura Colombiana, whose mission it is to promote the Colombian people and culture in the Valley of the Sun, says the organization’s president, Ricardo Zamora.

“The whole idea of this Colombian independence day celebration is for us to share and spread our culture, not only with Latin community, but also the other people who live here in our area and want to be part of this celebration. Everyone is invited and is welcome,” says Zamora. “This event is more than a festival, it’s a happy celebration. Saturday there are going to be a lot of happy people having a good time.”

As entertainment there will be dancing to the music of El Combo de Colombia, a popular Californa dance band, Sonora Karisma, and DK Kalak playing merengue, salsa, cumbias, vallenato; and  guaranteeing a crowded dance floor.  Also on tap will be an adult and children’s folklore dance troupe, Grupo Folclorico de Danza in costumes.

 For the hungry – and how dancing makes you hungry! – there will include a menu of Colombian food favorites such as empanadas, chuzos, chorizo, arepas, etc. 

“Last year we had 800 people attend, and we expect just as many this year,” Zamora says.

One survey says that Colombians are among the Top 10 happiest nationalities in the world, and most everyone will tell you they are among the friendliest and party-hardy people on the planet. They say when wherever you find a group of Colombians, you’ll find a party.

Zamora says best way to discover this for yourself is to join our local Colombianos when they celebrate the biggest day in their beloved country’s history – independence day!

Tickets are $25 per person before the event, and $30 per person at the door.

For more information, visit La Casa de la Cultura Colombiana website at www.casacolombia.org, or you can find them on Facebook for added details. You can also call 602.507.7715, or email casadelaculturacolombiana@gmail.com.