ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Bring your cultural pride to the city's first bloco fiesta.
Fiesta on Hamilton, a massive street party planned for downtown Allentown, will feature salseros from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
The celebration will take over Hamilton Street from 9th Street to 11th Street from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 18.
Entry is free.
Fiesta on Hamilton is organized by the Greater Lehigh Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Allentown Chamber of Commerce, radio station La MEGA 101.7 FM, the Young Professionals Council, Valley Health Partners and the Downtown Allentown Business Alliance.
According to the Chamber of Commerce, the street party marks the city's first Latino cultural celebration.
It was organized as a way to bring the community together, as more than half of Allentown's residents identify as Latino.
The city holds a Dominican Republic flag-raising in February and a Puerto Rican parade in July.
It already has its downtown Blues, Brews and Barbecue festival, which also shuts down Hamilton from Sixth to Eighth streets, and draws about 20,000 people a year.
Local talent
The six-hour party will kick off with performances by local groups Hector Rosado y su Orq Hache at 2 p.m.
At 3 p.m. Grupo D' Ahora, a merengue band from the Dominican Republic, will take the stage followed by Rumba Caliente, a salsa group from Puerto Rico.
Closing the fiesta are Los Adolescentes Orquesta at 5 p.m. and Oro Solido at 6 pm.
Los Adolescentes Orquesta recently released the romantic ballad "Nada Mas," their first single and part of an upcoming album.
The salsa group, comprised of Ernesto Cabrera from Cuba; Rodrigo Silva from Chile; Alex Quintero and Andy Moreno, both Venezuelans; and Ángel Mejía from Mexico; make up the fifth generation of the popular orchestra, which was founded in Venezuela by Luis Francisco "El Negro" Mendoza.
They are also known for hits such as "Los Mejores Éxitos," "Virgen" and "Cuerpo sin Alma."
Oro Sólido, a merengue group from the Dominican Republic, is known for the 2024 hit (with Colombian singer Fariana) "El Caballito," which inspired a viral dance.
Lead singer Raul "El Presidente" Acosta founded the group in 1993.
Acosta is known for his charitable endeavors, such as participating in the 2025 New York Latino Telethon — an event that raised funds to support those affected by the Jet Set tragedy, which killed 221 people — including singer Rubby Pérez — and injured more than 200 in the country's capital on April 5.
Cuban, Puerto Rican eats
Fifteen local restaurants and food vendors will sell food and beverages at the fiesta.
Among the options:
Amigos Mexican Grill: Offering burritos, steak and chicken bowls, and soft tacos
El Coqui: Puerto Rican pastries, pan sobao, pan de agua, mofongo
La Cocina del Abuelo: Popular Mexican restaurant serving Mexican staples such as chicken, beef or pork tacos, arroz and pico de Gallo
La Frikitona: Puerto Rican beef empanadas, mofongo fried pork, tostones with lechon or chicken, chicken-filled sweet plantains
Pequenas Delicias: Pina coladas and milkshakes
Rosa Blanca: Cuban-inspired snacks such as empanadas, croquetas and Cuban sandwich
Taco Town: Mexican snacks such as churros and guacamole, tacos with a choice of meat or chicken, quesadillas and burrito bowls.
Valley Health Partners also will hold a Family Health Fair offering free games, giveaways, and health resources for children and families.
For more information on the event, visit the Chamber of Commerce's website.
