Fiesta Broadway Moves North
Ed Fuentes
Visitors walk down Fiesta Broadway's main Broadway corridor during the 2009 event.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — While the 21st Fiesta Broadway may still pull in 500,000 “Latino customers” to the streets of Downtown, the 2010 event will have a far different footprint than it has in years past.
A short move to the north will concentrate the April 25 event on the northern blocks of the Broadway corridor and the Civic Center, limiting its southern reach to 4th street but expanding it to Spring and Main around City Hall and the new LAPD headquarters.
While festival organizer All Access Entertainment did not respond to multiple blogdowntown requests for comment, multiple factors may have led to the change.
The current economic climate has undoubtably made sponsorships harder to find. MTV, which had sponsored one of the festival's stages in past years, is not believed to be a participant in the 2010 event. The new festival footprint using Broadway from Temple to 4th and Spring and Main from Temple to 2nd contracts the event from its previously advertised 24 or 31 blocks -- depending on which part of the event website one looked at -- to roughly 18.
The squarer bounds should have less of an impact on traffic, and with less street closure points, the charge for traffic officers will be reduced. The city has subsidized a portion of the event fees in previous years, but new special event rules mean that the festival would need to cover its entire cost. In 2009, $180,586 in fees were waived, with similar amounts covered by the city in 2007 and 2008.
Councilwoman Jan Perry has been urging the event to change its boundaries for the last two years. "It’s more positive all the way around," said Perry this week. "Particularly for those who own businesses who were heavily impacted."
Councilman Jose Huizar's office has been billed as a primary supporter of the event in past years, but the changed location places the majority of the event outside his district. Huizar represents Broadway, but his district is bounded on the north by 2nd street.
Those looking for more information won't find much on the Fiesta Broadway website, which features a jumble of information from past years.
All-Access Entertainment also run Fiesta Patrias at El Pueblo, the City of L.A.'s official “El Grito” at City Hall, and the annual Latin Grammy Street Party at Olvera Street.
Rich Jesmer on March 09, 2010, at 11:59AM – #1
Best. News. Ever. Sorry everyone north of 4th. New downtowners, if this is your first Fiesta Broadway, prepare for the madness. Old downtowners, thanks for putting up with my venting surrounding the event for the past 9 years.
Tornadoes28 on March 09, 2010, at 12:42PM – #2
I will make sure to stay as far away from downtown as possible on that day.
Robyn on March 09, 2010, at 01:23PM – #3
EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE!! This new route may alleviate congested traffic at the south tip where there is typically more traffic on the weekends than in the Civic Center. Also closer to Union Station and the Gold Line Extension.
Last year Ed has posted a picture of this marching band of horn players. "They were small in number but made up for it in sound." I remember those guys!!
Rich Alossi on March 09, 2010, at 01:37PM – #4
Oh, how I'm going to miss the Wells Fargo tents and the vendors who will only speak to you if you look Latino.
But really, this move makes a lot of sense, since the Civic Center is dead on the weekends.
Nancy Richardson (@nanorich) on March 09, 2010, at 02:22PM – #5
Who knew the Loft Appeal guys had this much clout?
(Hi Rich!)
Robyn on March 09, 2010, at 03:27PM – #6
oop! Sorry - I got my festivities all mixed up!! Yes - the Fiesta ... not the parade. ... and those MTV stage dancers Aye chihuahua!!!
Ted Severe on March 09, 2010, at 07:29PM – #7
Thank. God.
Surely the bad, loud music and massive lines for free samples of laundry detergent can be confined to "roughly 18" blocks.
Barry Penland on March 09, 2010, at 09:11PM – #8
Wow, really that much aversion to this event? I'm always pretty excited to hear about a community-wide event that I can now walk to, but then I've only been here since November.
Matthew Jackson Cooper on March 09, 2010, at 09:44PM – #9
The whole thing is a shame really... The earlier incarnations of Fiesta Broadway, which were two-to-three day events, were focused on smaller food vendors, lots of tasty treats – and music, with a wide variety of performers on multiple stages (e.g. Los Lobos on a little stage at 4th & Spring in the mid-1990s).
But in recent years, the event morphed into a one-day corporation-to-consumer marketing opportunity/orgy, with gift bags of coupons and free samples, and mostly mainstream Latin pop and dance acts.
Guest on March 09, 2010, at 10:23PM – #10
THANK GOD! I live on 8th and Bdway and don't want to deal with this shit. Too many people- forcing my parking lot to be closed- and making it impossible for residents to get around.
Josh Gray-Emmer on March 10, 2010, at 10:57AM – #11
I am very happy about this change, there's nothing wrong with this Latin corporate marketing orgy, I just don't want it in my neighborhood anymore (8 year resident here).
Vero Queero on March 11, 2010, at 10:02PM – #12
Wow, so many NIMBYs! I'm with Barry, I kind of look forward to it. The only thing that's ever bothered me about it is the excess amount of trash; for some reason these partiers are less apt to use the temporary trash recepticles and more likely to use the ground. Weather music is bad or not is subjective, not everyone would agree. I think there should be more street events/parties, bring us together, have some fun. That's just how I see it.
Guest on March 12, 2010, at 12:04PM – #13
It should move west, MacArthur park is big enough and there is no need to block streets... but then of course the idiots at city hall will give them permits to block and use the surrounding streets as private property even when is deemed unnecessary.
Oscar.
Vero Queero on March 14, 2010, at 02:05PM – #14
Actually, MacArthur Park is a good idea, especially when the streetcar is up and running, or under construction.
Guest on April 26, 2010, at 01:32PM – #15
Thank you Dante for your comment.....so sick of these ppl always whining ... seriously all of you get a life and stop complaining..this only comes around once a year
Guest on November 16, 2010, at 07:38PM – #16
Fiesta Broadway is an embarrassment to downtown!