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Our Mission
To foster unity and celebrate the diversity of cultures that enrich our lives by creating an inclusive event that encourages participation and promotes the values of unity and respect for all cultures in Tifton and surrounding areas.
La Fiesta del Pueblo aims to provide a platform for the expression of cultural heritage, traditions and artistic achievements. Through music, dance, food and educational activities, to grow mutual respect, understanding and joy among all members of the community.
History
In 1993, a photography project aimed at Hispanic teens was born, marking the beginning of what would become a rich cultural tradition. The following year, a bilingual, bicultural Girl Scout troop was formed, and in 1995, these troops delighted us with folkloric dance performances.
The first Grassroots Festival took place in Omega, Georgia in 1996, moving in 1999 to the heart of Tifton and then in 2003 to Fulwood Park, establishing itself as a flagship event for the region. In 2004, the festival was officially established as a non-profit organization and was recognized by the Georgia Council for the Arts, Office of the Governor- Grassroots Arts Program, as an outstanding recipient of grassroots funding.
We celebrated 20 years of rich cultural history in 2016, and in 2017, the festival was dedicated in honor of Luz Marti, one of its founders, expanding its reach to the entire park. With more than two decades of existence, the Festival has overcome challenges, including a pause in 2020-2021 due to Covid-19, to return in 2022 with more entertainment than ever.
Although we reached our 25th anniversary in 2021, the celebration was postponed until 2023 due to the disruption caused by the pandemic. That year 2023, with great enthusiasm, we celebrated a quarter century of promoting and celebrating our culture, making it another successful year for La Fiesta del Pueblo.
1993 | Start of a photography project for Hispanic teenagers, planting the roots of tradition.
1994 | Formation of a bilingual/bicultural Girl Scout troop, strengthening the community.
1995 | Girl Scout troops give folkloric dance performances, enriching our culture.
1996 | Celebration of the first People's Fiesta in Omega, Georgia, marking the beginning of an era.
1999 | La Fiesta del Pueblo moves to vibrant downtown Tifton, expanding its reach.
2003 | New home in Tifton's Fulwood Park, providing a larger space for the festival.
2004 | Official incorporation of the festival as a non-profit organization, and recognition by the Georgia Council for the Arts.
2016 | Commemoration of 20 years of cultural and community tradition.
2017 | The festival is dedicated in honor of Luz Martí, one of the founders, extending to the entire park.
2018 | Celebration of 22 years of existence, reaffirming its importance in the community.
2019 | La Fiesta del Pueblo reaches 23 years of cultural celebrations.
2020-2021 | Pause in our activities due to Covid-19, a moment of reflection.
2022 | Triumphant return after two years, marking one of the most successful festivals.
2023 | 25th anniversary celebration, delayed by the Covid-19 break but no less significant, highlighting another year of success and cultural promotion.
2024 | We look forward to seeing you and counting on your participation!
Scholarship for ABAC Students
La Fiesta del Pueblo sets aside funds each year for the Maria Guadalupe Cervantes Scholarship, established in 2004 in honor of Cervantes, who was an educator in Mexico but was never able to teach in the U.S. The scholarship, which supports the education of undergraduate students of Georgia Latino descent enrolled full-time at ABAC during their freshman or sophomore year, is funded by proceeds generated from the festival, initially through donations from a retired priest, friends of the Cervantes family, and members of the Omega and Tifton communities. It is awarded in the spring or fall and seeks to support one or two students perpetuating the legacy of Maria Guadalupe Cervantes in the field of education.