Rialto's fifth annual Viva La Fiesta is set for Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Rialto City Park, with free cultural performances and wristbands required for the other activities. The Hispanic Heritage Month celebration will include folklorico dancing, a mechanical bull and a petting zoo.
Viva La Fiesta started in 2022, and the city partnered with Rialto Unified School District in 2024 to expand the event, according to the San Bernardino Sun. The city established it to honor Hispanic and Latin American cultures; this year's program combines performances with games and crafts.
The origins of Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in 1968 and was expanded to a month in 1988, according to the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino.
The Sun identifies Saturday's event location as Rialto City Park at 130 E. San Bernardino Ave.
Folklorico Groups and Dance Crews Take the Stage
The dance and cultural performances are free, according to the Sun. Performers include Rialto Parks and Recreation's folklorico group class, Bailando Con El Corazon, described by the outlet as Rialto's Down syndrome folklorico dance group, and Estrellas Brillantes.
The lineup also includes Rialto dance group Rhythm Beats and Rialto Unified School District's Danza Azteca Chichimeca Xiuh Arte. Student groups had an opportunity to perform after the city and district began their partnership in 2024, the Sun reported.
Games, a Petting Zoo and a Mechanical Bull
Wristbands provide access to the activities beyond the free performances, the Sun reports. Options include a piñata station, interactive games, a petting zoo, a mechanical bull and dominoes.
The wristband activities also include crafts: coloring guitars, making paper fans, designing lucha libre masks and creating talavera tiles, according to the Sun.
Ticket Prices and Where to Buy Wristbands
Wristbands cost $5 in advance and $7 on the day of the event, according to City of Rialto. Advance wristbands are available at Room 204 of the Rialto Community Center, located at 214 N. Palm Ave.
Attendees with questions can call the event's information line at 909-421-4949, the outlet reports. Rialto Mayor Joe Baca said Viva La Fiesta reminds the community of shared pride in culture and traditions and the importance of coming together, according to the Sun.
