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History of the festival
In May 2022, Centro Unido, in collaboration with community
partners and with the support of the McDowell Arts Council Association,
brought the first ever Latino mural to McDowell County; a lasting symbol of visibility, resilience, and cultural pride. To celebrate its unveiling, we launched the festival, “See Our Voices,” named after the mural itself. This was the first time our community was being represented and our culture celebrated.
After witnessing this historic moment, we continued celebrating our festival yearly, and it has blossomed into one of Marion’s signature events—cherished and eagerly awaited by our community. In the last two years, we had the honor of hosting México en el Corazón, a group of more than 70 artists who moved the entire audience with their vibrant representation of Mexican folklore. The festival, now known as Culturas Unidas, has grown to welcome over 6,000 attendees and more than 80 vendors and organizations, filling Main Street with music, food, art, and community connection. In 2025, the festival also served as a moment of community resilience and unity after Hurricane Helene.
At its heart, Culturas Unidas is about being in community, embracing culture, and creating a tradition rooted in belonging. It is a celebration we are committed to sustaining and expanding each year—one that honors our roots, strengthens community bonds, and invites partners to invest in a lasting legacy of culture, connection, and impact.
Become a Vendor
Join us at the “Culturas Unidas Festival” as a vendor showcasing your unique crafts, offering your delicious food, or providing community services for hundreds of attendees celebrating culture, community, and connections.
Call: 828-652-0727
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!
Voices of our Community
“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.”
