Comunidad Latina de Vashon will present “Como La Flor,” an outdoor Latino market, from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21, in the Sheffield Building’s parking lot at 18850 SW 103rd Ave, next to Open Space for Arts & Community, just one mile from the center of town.
The event will be hard to miss — with a mix of colorful signage, booths and displays by local vendors, and room for families to spread out and enjoy all that is on offer.
“Como La Flor” is the fourth seasonal Mercado presented by Comunidad Latina de Vashon and organized by youth and adult leaders of the organization. It will include music, art, and food from throughout Latin America. Attendees can sip some horchata, eat a Salvadoran pupusa or Mexican taco, smash a piñata, and dance some cumbia — the event is open to all ages, and has something for everyone.
“Como La Flor” is a reference to a Selena song, which is a much-loved ballad for many Latinos but also makes reference to the “Rose that grew from concrete” poem, by Tupac.
“We are celebrating and sharing our brilliance, resilience, and joy in the yummiest, most fun way possible,” said Comunidad’s lead organizer, Cynthia Ramos.
Ramos added the Mercado is much more than a one-day event.
“We have been working on small business development and more robust economic opportunities year-round, through trainings and discussions about systems shifts needed for us to flourish, and more,” she said. “We are proud that members of the first cohort of Mercado participants are now year-round businesses.”
Comunidad Latina de Vashon is an organization created for and led by the accomplished youth and families of the island’s Latino community. The group is centered on building community leadership and power, working to harness the ideas and talent of Latino families on Vashon and beyond by creating spaces of mutual respect.
For years, the group’s efforts have included participation in Vashon’s Strawberry Festival Parade and other community events. But Comunidad also works in many other ways to support Latino families on Vashon and beyond. During the pandemic, Comunidad organized vaccination education, creating bilingual infographics with the Union of Concerned Scientists, which are now being used nationwide.
In response to the impacts of COVID-19, the group also did outreach for local rent assistance efforts and created its own programs for economic development and transformation.
Comunidad’s youth-led programs include leadership training, peer-to-peer tutoring and support services, getting-out-the-vote efforts, art and pride activities, and much more.
For years, Comunidad has also strongly advocated for the improvement of equity practices within Vashon public schools.
Find out more about the group and “Como La Flor,” at facebook.com/ComunidadLatinaVashon.
