One of the largest cultural events of the year is coming to MiraCosta College on June 8, 2024, for the annual Latino Book & Family Festival. The event will feature over 100 exhibitors, including over 40 award-winning authors of works in all genres written by or about Latinos. The festival will include entertainment, a children’s stage, bilingual activities, workshops, food, and book giveaways.
Keynote Speakers
- Luis Valdez: Father of Latino Playwriting, Director/Writer of "La Bamba" and "Zoot Suit," and creator of El Teatro Campesino.
- Victor Villaseñor: Award-winning author of "Rain of Gold," "13 Senses," and "Burro Genius."
- Dra. Beatriz Villareal: Director of Mano a Mano Foundation and Latino community leader.
Featured Authors
- Esther Reyes Jones: Author of "La Señora with the Blue Lipstick."
- Teresa Verduzco: Author of "Sundays with Abuelita / Domingos con Abuelita."
- Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin: Author of "Mi Amor / Chicana on Fire: Ignited by the 1970’s East L.A. Chicano Protest Movement."
- Poli Flores: Author of "In the Shadows of the Sun."
Activities / Actividades
- Exhibitors: Community Resources, Health services (blood pressure readings, blood sugar testing, vision screening by TrueCare, dental services by Vista Community Clinic), Education, Finance, Community Libraries, and food vendors.
- Children’s Village: Activities for children.
- Workshops / Talleres: Programs on Medical/CalFresh benefits, community college programs, careers in trades and the Navy, understanding diabetes and high blood pressure (bilingual).
- Author Workshops: Sessions with featured authors.
Entertainment
- Kainga Music Steel Drum
- Ballet Folklorico Cultural de San Bernardino
- Tierra Caliente Ballet Folklorico Academy featuring LuMaya
The festival's purpose, a community program of the Fallbrook-based nonprofit Empowering Latino Futures, is to offer opportunities in the community, ideally reaching out to Latino families and youth. The festival highlights the importance of literacy and promotes awareness of college and community resources. More information is available at the festival website,
www.LBFF.us.
Launched in Los Angeles in 1997 and co-produced by award-winning actor and community activist Edward James Olmos, the Latino Book & Family Festival has become a sought-after and popular event in key Hispanic markets nationwide. It aims to promote literacy, culture, and education in a welcoming environment for the entire family. The festivals are operated by the nonprofit Empowering Latino Futures and are dedicated to advancing reading and literature to improve lives throughout the Latino community.
The MiraCosta College Oceanside Campus is at 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056.
