News

COVID-19 UPDATE: Fiestaval

This isn’t good-bye, it’s simply see you next year! 

April 30, 2020  [ CALGARY, AB ] 

Dear Calgary, 

When the COVID-19 pandemic inevitability hit our city, we knew in the back of our minds that the livelihood of this year’s Fiestaval was in jeopardy. Although we remained hopeful, we knew we would have to make a judgment call based on the increasing concern for the health and well-being of our community. The City of Calgary has declared a state of local emergency and the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Alberta has, rightly so, banned gatherings of more than 15 people for an indefinite period of time. Unfortunately, due to these circumstances, containment restrictions, and the safety of our community at the forefront, Fiestaval 2020 is officially canceled until 2021. 

We know this is tough news to digest for our Fiestaval community. We want you to know that this decision was not made easily and we are on your side. We are devastated for you, our community, our city, our nation, and our world! We are doing everything we can to navigate these times with logical minds and full hearts, as we work hard to support local businesses, makers, artisans, and top international talent who rely on festivals and events such as this one to survive. 

For years, Fiestaval has succeeded at bringing the vibrant spirit of Latin culture to the heart of Calgary for a weekend of dancing, eatting, drinking and pure joy. This is a festival that is built upon community and as we celebrate the very best from all the countries that make up beautiful Latin America. 

Thank you Calgary for being our biggest fans! From the festival attendees to the vendors to the restaurants to the dedicated volunteers to the sponsors to our mighty team at Urban Productions Group - we could not do what we do year after year without your unwavering love and support. We look forward to coming back stronger than ever in 2021 when things are safe and we can celebrate together with a peace of mind that this pandemic is behind us. 

In the meantime, please continue to share these posts, stay current with the latest updates, and support local whenever possible. We couldn’t do what we do without you and we can’t wait to see this fear lifted and our city thriving once again. Let’s gather together (metaphorically) and come out of this stronger than ever before! See you next year at the 2021 Fiestaval. 

Jennifer Rempel 

Fiestaval Organizer via Urban Productions Group

E: jennifer@urbanproductionsgroup.com

 

Media Contact 

Kristy Archibald 

Media Relations at Urban Production Group 

E:marketing@urbanproductionsgroup.com

P:403 837 4310 

Other Inquiries: shannon@urbanproductionsgroup.com

 

FIESTAVAL SPANISH

 

ACTUALIZACIÓN COVID-19: Fiestaval 

Esto no es un adiós, es un hasta luego. ¡Nos vemos el próximo año! 

Abril 30, 2020  [ CALGARY, AB ] 

Apreciada comunidad en Calgary, 

Cuando la inevitable pandemia de COVID-19 golpeó nuestra ciudad, sabíamos en lo profundo que el sustento de Fiestaval del presente año estaba en peligro. Aunque mantuvimos la esperanza, sabíamos que tendríamos que tomar una decisión basada en la creciente preocupación por la salud y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad. La Ciudad de Calgary ha declarado un estado de emergencia local y el Director Médico de Salud de Alberta ha prohibido los encuentros de más de 15 personas por un período de tiempo indefinido. Desafortunadamente, debido a estas circunstancias, las restricciones de contención y la seguridad de nuestra comunidad, Fiestaval 2020 se cancela oficialmente hasta el 2021.

Sabemos que esta es una noticia difícil de digerir para nuestra comunidad. Queremos que sepan que esta decisión no se tomó fácilmente y que estamos de su lado. ¡Estamos devastados por ustedes, nuestra comunidad, nuestra ciudad, nuestra nación y nuestro mundo! Estamos haciendo todo lo posible para navegar estos tiempos con mentes lógicas y corazones llenos, mientras trabajamos arduamente para apoyar a las empresas locales, artesanos y los mejores talentos internacionales que dependen de festivales y eventos como este para sobrevivir.

Durante años, Fiestaval ha logrado traer el espíritu vibrante de la cultura Latina al corazón de Calgary por medio de un fin de semana lleno de baile, comida, bebidas y pura alegría. Este es un festival creado para la comunidad y celebramos lo mejor de todos los países que conforman la hermosa Latinoamérica. 

¡Gracias, Calgary por ser nuestros mayores fans! Desde los asistentes al festival, hasta los vendedores, los restaurantes, los voluntarios dedicados y los patrocinadores de nuestro poderoso equipo en Urban Productions Group, no podríamos hacer lo que hacemos año tras año sin su inquebrantable amor y apoyo. Esperamos volver más fuertes que nunca en 2021 cuando las cosas estén seguras y podamos celebrar juntos con la tranquilidad que esta pandemia ha quedado atrás.

Mientras tanto, por favor continúen compartiendo nuestras publicaciones, manténganse actualizados con las últimas noticias y brinden apoyo a lo local siempre que sea posible. No podríamos hacer lo que hacemos sin ustedes y no podemos esperar a que este miedo desaparezca y nuestra ciudad prospere una vez más. ¡Unámonos y salgamos de esto más fuertes que nunca! Nos vemos el próximo año para el Fiestaval 2021.

COVID-19 Response: Fiestaval

MARCH 14 [ CALGARY, AB ] 

Dear Calgary, 

Through recent events surrounding the COVID-19 virus, we have been forced to consider the possibility of what the future for the 2020 Fiestaval will be. Currently, as it stands, Alberta is in a low-risk situation, but is taking extreme precautionary efforts to ensure the virus is contained and hopefully short-lived. 

Please see Alberta’s latest public health advisories here. 

Right now our team at Urban Production Group is closely monitoring the situation and staying cautiously optimistic that Fiestaval will be able to proceed as usual on July 17 to 19, 2020. We have been in close communication with the City of Calgary and will be moving forward in the best possible manner to adhere to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s mass gathering risk assessment protocol. We will continue to plan the execution of this iconic cultural Calgary festival, but will be making future decisions regarding how we will move forward once we have more information in the upcoming days.  

Thank you Calgary for always being our biggest fans! We would not be able to continue to host Fiestaval if it wasn’t for your unwavering love and loyalty that you have shown us throughout the years. This international pandemic has hit every city on a local level harder than anyone could have planned for. It’s our mission through our events to always find ways to strengthen and rally behind local independent businesses, makers, and artisans – and that doesn’t stop now. Our local community needs us more than ever and any support you can offer truly makes a world of difference. Let’s gather together (metaphorically) and come out of this stronger than ever before! 

Jennifer Rempel 

Fiestaval Event Organizer via Urban Productions Group 

E: jennifer@urbanproductionsgroup.com

 

Media Contact 

Kristy Archibald 

Media Relations at Urban Production Group 

E: marketing@urbanproductionsgroup.com

P: 403 837 4310