Second annual Afro-Latino Fest to take place May 12

TRYON — Whether it be listening to the soulful tunes of The Motown Sound or watching a demonstration of the fluid, dance-like movements of the Capoeira martial art, visitors to downtown Tryon will have a chance to experience the rich traditions of African- American and Latino cultures later this month.

The town will host the second annual Afro-Latino Fest from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12. The festival, open for free to the  public, will feature a variety of bands, artists, entertainers and vendors — representing different aspects of African/Latino life — who will line Trade Street that afternoon.

The featured festivities will include a street parade, which will begin at 2 p.m.; a performance by the Latin fusion band Chócala, from Charlotte; demonstrations of Brazilian martial arts, drumming and dance; and more. In addition, there will be vendors selling food like deep-fried desserts, hot dogs, barbecue, as well as artwork, jewelry, crafts and women’s clothing, in recognition of Mother’s Day that Sunday.

Helming this year’s festival is Steven Green, founder and executive director of the Grown Man Club, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping develop local African- American, Hispanic and Latino young men into future leaders. Green, who helped form last year’s inaugural Tryon Afro-Fest, decided to add a bit of “sizzle” to the sophomore effort, including Latino and Hispanic traditions to this year’s event, he said.

“The name of the festival, Afro-Latino, may sound exclusionary, but it will be an inclusionary event,” Green said. “We want everyone to come, to step outside of their comfort zone and see the world from a different perspective.”

Green developed the idea for the first Afro-Fest while chatting with Tyrone Perry, the owner of local mobile coffee shop Java Up. The two thought it would be great to organize an event that would celebrate African-American culture, and share it with the rest of the Tryon community.

Three weeks later, the festival was born. The first event, which took place in May 2017, drew more than 300 people to Depot Plaza, with a diverse group of visitors enjoying an afternoon of soul food, Motown music and art demonstrations, Green said.

The organizers were elated by not only the attendance, but by the fact they were able to share some of the traditions of Tryon’s Eastside community with others in town, Green said.

“It was an euphoric feeling, and a bit humbling at the same time,” he said. “To know something like this had never been done in the area before and to see people be so receptive to it was gratifying, very gratifying.”

With the success of the first Afro-Fest under his belt, Green has spent the past year attempting to make the second rendition even larger in scope. Due in part to his experiences studying abroad in Spain, as well as his study of the Brazilian martial art, Capoeira, Green said he wanted to add some Latino flair to this year’s event, to make it a “sizzling family fiesta.”

In addition to the festival, Green has also organized a Mother’s Day 5K and Brunch, which will take place before the downtown event, from noon to 2 p.m. at Harmon Field.

Mothers, fathers, children and others are invited to participate in the race, with prizes donated by local businesses going to the top three places, Green said. Following the run, guests may enjoy a brunch provided by Rutherfordton’s The Olive Tree Restaurant and Bar.

People may register for the event by visiting https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Tryon/TryonsMotherDay5kBrunch.

The event is meant to show appreciation to the women responsible for raising the community’s next generation, Green said.

“Mothers are so important to the development of a young man,” Green said. “My mother and my aunts have done a tremendous job shaping me into the man I am today. [Mothers] need that kind of recognition.”

Following the event, guests will be encouraged to visit downtown for the Afro-Latino Fest.

People interested in volunteering to help with the event or with the Grown Man Club may call Green at 864-541-4912 or email him at stevengreenpainrelief@gmail.com.