About the Festival
In May 2022, one of our dreams came true: Centro Unido, in collaboration with community partners, brought the first Latino mural to McDowell County. To commemorate the mural’s unveiling, we held our very first festival — then called “See Our Voices”, named after the mural itself. For the first time, our community saw a large-scale, public celebration of its culture and identity.
The success of that first event made one thing clear: this celebration needed to continue. In September 2023, we hosted the second edition of the festival — now renamed Culturas Unidas (United Cultures) — in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. We were thrilled to welcome over 1,000 attendees. In 2024, we brought the Culturas Unidas Festival to the heart of Marion — Main Street — creating a vibrant celebration filled with music, food, art, and community right in the center of town.
Now, in 2025, we proudly affirm what this journey has taught us: Culturas Unidas is no longer just an event — it has become a cherished tradition.
Many Cultures, One Community
México en el Corazón
This year, we are honored to once again welcome México en el Corazón to the Festival of Culturas Unidas—a nationally renowned cultural tour presented by the North American Institute for Mexican Advancement (NAIMA). This vibrant show features the renowned Ballet Folklórico de Guadalajara, bringing to life the traditions, music, and regional dances of México with dazzling costumes and live mariachi performances.
Presented in major cities across the U.S., México en el Corazón celebrates cultural heritage, fosters unity, and connects communities through the arts. Their presence at our festival represents a unique opportunity for our region to experience the beauty and richness of Mexican culture, right here in the heart of Marion.
Empowering Cultures Through Unity
Become a Sponsor
By sponsoring this festival you’re investing in the well-being of our local businesses, supporting cultural exchange, and helping us create a day of joy that our community deeply needs. Let’s fill our streets with music, culture, color, and love. Let’s show our community that better days are ahead. Join Us. Become a Sponsor of the 2025 Culturas Unidas Festival — Help Us Bring Joy Back to Marion!
"I am thankful for partners that are coming together to celebrate our diverse and beautiful cultures in our community”
-Margarita Ramirez,
Executive Director
Highlights from 2024
2024 Festival Attendee
"The importance is that we're in a country that's not our own, but we can bring our roots. And the importance is to be present here and be proud of where we come from. To teach them about our cultures, our roots, our dances, our traditions. To show the people who live here that we are Latin American countries rich in culture. Show them the good things we have to bring and that we are energy that is pure."
Angelica Reza,
Board President
"The importance of cultural events like the Culturas Unidas Festival lies in the opportunity they provide. For Latinos, it’s a chance to reconnect with and celebrate our culture. For those who are not Latino, it’s an invitation to experience the beauty of our culture firsthand."
2024 Festival Attendee
“The importance of events like this is that we're raising awareness about the origins of each country, each culture, and what we bring. For example, I'm from El Salvador, and here I see flags from every country: Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, but I don't see any division here. We are one.”
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