Franco Ordoñez

CHARLOTTE The Latin American Festival will not be held at Eastover Park this year. Instead, organizers are moving the growing festival to a larger location at Symphony Park in SouthPark.

“The Festival's tremendous popularity led us to move it to a larger venue this year to accommodate our growing crowds,” said Angeles Ortega-Moore, executive director of the Latin American Coalition.

More than 20,000 people attended the festival last year. Organizers expect 25,000 this year.

Jess George, the coalition's associate director, said Symphony Park gives them greater flexibility, more parking and a permanent stage.

“In many ways the Latin American Festival has been a well-kept secret,” George said. “Moving the event to a high-profile location such as Symphony Park gives us the opportunity to show off one of Charlotte's premier cultural events to folks who many have never experienced it before.”

The salsa band Bio Ritmo and Atlanta-based Mariachi de Pepe Lopez will headline the Oct. 12 festival. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children. Children under 8 and Mint Museum members get in free. More information: www.festival latinoamericano.org. Franco Ordoñez