Safety Harbor Rotary Club To Host Traditional Colombian Carnaval

SAFETY HARBOR, FL – Residents are invited to celebrate the rich folkloric heritage of Colombia during the annual Carnaval of Barranquilla Saturday, March 31 from 3 to 10 p.m. at the Safety Harbor Waterfront and Marine Park, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane in Safety Harbor.

The Safety Harbor carnival is hosted by the Rotary Club of Safety Harbor and the nonprofit Tampa Bay Carnaval de Barranquilla organization and offers carnival-goers a chance to see the colorful costumes and dances, music, food and culture of the Colombian people.

Although Safety Harbor’s carnival is just 11 years old, the Barranquilla Carnaval in Colombia dates to the 19th century and has grown into one of the largest carnivals in the world.

Carnival-goers will have a chance to see dancers wearing traditional costumes perform Spanish Paloteo, African Congo and indigenous Mico y Micas dances.

Bands scheduled to perform include Grupo Barrio Abajo, Grupo De Baile De Salsa by Clara Rodriguez, Salsa es lo que hay, Grupo Folklorico Quillami, Fantasia Colombiana, Grupo Vallenato and K-Buya.

At 4 p.m., there will be a mini parade with King Jairo Franco Linero and Queen Isabella Acosta of the Tampa Bay Carnaval Barranquilla, along with special guest, Valeria Abuchaibe, queen of the Carnaval de Barranquilla in Colombia.

Vendors and beer truck will be on hand, serving some Colombian specialties.

General admission tickets are $10. Reserved seating is $20. Visit the Tampa Bay Carnaval de Barranquilla website to purchase advance tickets.

Proceeds will go to the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, the Disabled Veterans/VFW handicapped lift and kayak project, the Club Rotario Barranquilla Centro and Puerto Rico Disaster Relief Fund.

Image via Carnaval de Barranquilla