City to host festival marking 200 years of independence

The Longmont-based Peruvian Association of Northern Colorado on Sunday unveils its 21st annual Peruvian Festival, also commemorating 200 years of independence.

In 2000, the Peruvian Association of Northern Colorado launched its nonprofit during its festival, in order to share Peruvian customs, traditions and Peruvian Independence Day celebrations. The festival this year will be at Sandstone Ranch Park, 2525 E. Ken Pratt Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Former Peruvian Festival coordinator Manuel Chihuan said it was important to start educating residents about Peruvian heritage and struggles due to the large number Peruvians born abroad and in Colorado who reside in Longmont.

The 2021 Peruvian Festival coordinator, Eulogio Ventura, expects attendance to exceed 1,000 this year, which would be its largest number in attendance to date.

“It is good to see each year how the festival grows and makes an impact on our community,” Ventura said. “Not just those who are Peruvian, but also other Latino cultures learning more or even non-latino residents wanting to experience more of our culture.”

“This year is very special though — we are also celebrating 200 years of Peruvian independence, which is on July 28, but we are celebrating a few days early on

Sunday,” Ventura added.

In addition to cultural items for sale, live music, art and entertainment, Eulogio said, “We have people making purple mazamorra — it is a very popular Peruvian dessert, made from concentrated purple corn and fruits and has (the) texture like American pudding.” He said it is also spiced with cinnamon and cloves and tastes a bit like blackberry pie filling.

“We want people to come and learn something about Peruvian culture, food, music, art and hospitality,” Eulogio said. “Maybe they (residents) will walk away with a new appreciation about Peruvian’s and Latinos after they visit the festival.”

“Peruvians fought for independence from Spanish rule since 1800, but around 1811 there was a significant battle, in Peruvian favor, that helped us declare our independence in 1821,” Eulogio explained. “Peruvian independence was declared in the capital city Lima — and would not have been possible without allied help from General José de San Martín of Argentina.”

For more information, visit the Puerivian Association of Northern Colorado’s Facebook page at bit.ly/panco.

Boulder Daily Camera file photo Junior Lopez, (center) holds his hat tightly as he waits to dance with Qhaswa Peru, a Peruvian folk dance group, during the Peruvian Festival at Sandstone Ranch Park in Longmont in July 2016.