Grupo Azteca was the first to grace the stage with traditional dance during the Latino Expo at Edmonds College July 25, 2026. (Photos by Jasmine Contreras-Lewis unless otherwise noted)Jaime Mendez of Se Habla News introduced speakers, announced raffle winners and held together the day’s programming.A large balloon arch welcomes hundreds of Latino Expo guests.Ballet Folklórico Xochiquetzal performs. (Photo courtesy Ballet Folklórico Xochiquetzal)Officials introduced at the event included (L-R): Edmonds College President Amit Singh; Nicolas “Nico” Jensen, who attended on behalf of Snohomish County Councilmember Megan Dunn; Lynnwood Mayor George Hurst, LETI founder and President Rosario Reyes and Lynnwood City Council Vice President Derica Escamilla.“Our diversity is not something to tolerate, it is something to celebrate,” said Lynnwood City Council Vice President Derica Escamilla. She praised the resilience and bravery of the Hispanic and Latino communities amid ongoing sociopolitical struggles. In Spanish, she invited community members to come to her if they needed assistance.At one of the many information booths, Aeryal Thomson and Douglas Evans from Edmonds College shared information about programs that community members could benefit from, ranging from GED certifications to technical education programs and degrees.Grupo Colibrí hosted two performances. The first was comedic, inviting young dancers to stomp, share canes and fall over in the style of their elders.Groupo Coilbri dancer.A young dancer’s smile is reflective of a successful show.Francisco Larios and his kids enjoy a little mariachi under the canopy of a large tree, post face-paint adventure.Siblings raid the table of freebies.Author Liz Wong, left, engages youngsters during the Let’s Read Together activity in the Edmonds College Library. (Photo by Nick Ng)In addition to playing some tunes, musican Marco Cortes got into the reading spirit. (Photo by Nick Ng)
Hundreds enjoyed the tastier side of Latin cuisine along with entertainment and family friendly activities Saturday at the Latino Educational Training Institute’s (LETI) 23rd annual Latino Expo.
LETI hosted the event in the heart of Edmonds College, spreading fair activities across the campus. When not enjoying hot elote, tortas or an ice cold Jamaica (hibiscus-flower agua fresca), attendees perused community resources or sat down to enjoy the day’s live entertainment scene.
Families also participated in a Let’s Read Together activity in the Edmonds College Library, featuring author and illustrator Liz Wong, children’s author Mary Boone and musician Marco Cortes. The event — designed to encourage reading across generations — was sponsored by LETI, ChildStrive, Edmonds Bookshop and My Neighborhood News Group.
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