Heritage Festival features popular bands at Plaza

By Marc Robertson - Editor | September 27, 2023

RICKY NARANJO Y LOS GAMBLERS, METTAL, CONJUNTO CATS, EZPADA TO PLAY AT CULTURAL CELEBRATION IN HISTORIC LOCALE

Award-winning Tejano band Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers will be the headlining act from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday night, September 29, in the inaugural Hispanic Heritage Festival at Cotulla’s historic Plaza Florita, a family event that includes food and games.

“Come with an empty stomach” is the message from Cotulla City Hall in advance of its first Hispanic Heritage Festival, scheduled for Friday evening, September 29, at Plaza Florita.

Fajitas, gorditas, a variety of other foods and refreshments will served at the event by vendors who have reserved their places.

Although food and live entertainment will be among the primary attractions for the festival, organizers believe that bringing back an old favorite from Plaza Florita will also be popular with visitors.

“Yes, we will have the cake walk,” Main Street Program Coordinator Margie Gonzalez said of Friday’s games and family-oriented fun. “That’s one of the things that everyone wanted to see us bring back. We will do fifty walks, and tickets are a dollar each. We know people will be happy to see that again.”

Bands scheduled for the evening will include Mettal from 6 to 7 p.m.; the Conjunto Cats from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Ezpada from 9 to 10:30 p.m.; and headliners Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers closing out the dance for the night, from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Vendors who have already reserved booth spaces at the festival will offer toys and trinkets, custom-decorated goods, arts and crafts, jewelry, t-shirts, and leather goods, Gonzalez said. While some are local, others will be traveling to Cotulla from across the region to take part in the festival.

“Food and music, and families coming together to celebrate our colorful culture and history in a very special place, that’s what this is about,” Gonzalez said. “Plaza Florita is at the heart of our community and holds a cherished place in the hearts of so many families who have enjoyed special events here for generations.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs but should not bring barbecue pits, according to City Hall, as there are concerns over fire safety during a drought. Additionally, attendees should not bring tent canopies or awnings that would block the view of the entertainment stage.

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