‘Taste of Latin America’ returns to Portland Mercado

You can’t taste it, but you can see the fun happening at this festival …

The “Taste of Latin America” celebration draws folks from miles around to dine at the Portland Mercado.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The Portland Mercado was even more lively than usual on Saturday, August 13th, because their annual “Taste of Latin America” fiesta was in full swing, starting at noon.

Scores of people, including lots of family groups, had arrived to experience this free immersive celebration of Latin American culture and cuisine at the Mercado, along S.E. Foster Road at 72nd Avenue.

Enjoying lunch during the “Taste of Latin America” are Louisa and Brian from the Woodstock neighborhood.

Musically entertaining on the Mercado stage: “Grupo Latitudes”.

In addition to the Mercado’s famous food carts, the fiesta also featured more than a dozen local vendors, representing cultures from across Central and South America.

And, on their stage throughout the day, a lineup of local Latinx artists performed — such as “Queen of Electro-Pop” Frankie Simone, Puerto Rican lofi hip hop beat maker “Luvjonez”, and the infectious Andes pan-pipes-and-guitar rhythms of “Grupo Latitudes”.

Many non-food vendors exhibit and sell their wares during this year’s “Taste of Latin America”.

There’s always something happening at the Portland Mercado. And once a year it’s the “Taste of Mercado”. To find out what’s going on now, and no doubt something is, visit their website: CLICK HERE.

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