Cultura y noticias hispanas del Valle del Hudson
The Guelaguetza of Poughkeepsie 2026
Por Lucy Waldorf
July 2026 The Grupo Folclórico of Poughkeepsie and the Guelaguetza Organizing Committee invite you to the 19th Guelaguetza of Poughkeepsie Sunday August 2nd 2026 from 12 to 7pm in Waryas Park. The Guelaguetza is an annual celebration of the ethnic and cultural diversity of Oaxaca. Dating back to pre-Hispanic times, this vibrant tradition has taken root in the Hudson Valley and has been recognized as a legacy event by the City of Poughkeepsie.
The US Census Bureau estimates that more than 8,700 Latinos have made their home in the city of Poughkeepsie. Within that community, it is estimated that almost 3,300 are Mexican and among those Mexicans, according to the non-profit organization Pattern for Progress, the majority are Oaxacan. This is all to say that in Poughkeepsie there isn’t only a tradition of and great love for the Guelaguetza festival, but also a need.
“The Guelaguetza is a harvest festival, with a focus on shared community and renewal”, said Jessica Sherman, member of the planning committee for almost ten years. And in this sense, the 2026 festival is no different. The Guelaguetza of Poughkeepsie continues growing and offering more for the community each year: “It’s crazy when I tell people that we had more than 7,000 people in the past couple years”, continued Sherman.
The Guelaguetza 2026 will present the return of Maqueos Music, the beloved band of Oaxacan music, from Los Angeles, along with dance performances from all eight regions of Oaxaca including the Grupo Folklórico of Poughkeepsie, Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York, La Danza de los Diablos and los Zancudos de Zaachila. In addition to the anticipation of more visitors than years past, the organizing committee is also preparing new art activities and activities for kids. Of course, there will also be vendors of all types to share a taste of Oaxaca.
The Guelaguetza Committee —Abisai Caballero; Felipe Santos, Revolución Radio; Isaiah Murray; Margarita Corbatón; Jessica Sherman, Poughkeepsie Public Library District; Mariel Fiori, La Voz; Paola Alonso; and Wilfredo Morel, Sun River Health— is made up entirely of volunteers, “we do what we do because we believe in what’s happening in the community”, emphasized Wilfredo Morel, festival volunteer for more than 15 years. “Volunteers are always welcome”, affirmed Sherman, and clarified that no experience is necessary in order to help out with all sorts of tasks.
If you’re interested in volunteering, email [email protected] or come to the Guelaguetza Committee’s welcome tent the day of the event and offer to help. “Every year there are more people. The Guelaguetza is getting bigger and bigger and because of that we need a lot of volunteers”, seconded Paola Alonso, new edition to the Guelaguetza Committee and volunteer coordinator. Alonso shared her motivation for taking on her new role: give to the community that, in 19 years of the Guelaguetza in Poughkeepsie, has given so much, “So that you feel like Mexico is here!”
And what else can spectators and volunteers expect this year? The Guelaguetza will open with a parade of dancers to Welcome everyone to Waryas Park, headed by the Goddess Centeotl, or the Goddess of Maize. This year the honors have been given to Sharai Martínez. Following will be six hours of music and folk dancing, Oaxacan food vendors, info tables with the participation of local organizations, artisan crafts for sale, snacks, activities for kids, gifts, good vibes, and much more; all with a spectacular view of the Hudson River.
This family-friendly event will take place rain or shine. The consumption of alcohol is not permitted.
19th Guelaguetza of Poughkeepsie
Sunday August 2nd 2026
Waryas Park
From 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
To sign up as a volunteer or for more information about the Guelaguetza of Poughkeepsie, visit their Facebook page @pokguelaguetza or write to [email protected] COPYRIGHT 2026
La Voz, Cultura y noticias hispanas del Valle de Hudson
“The Guelaguetza is a harvest festival, with a focus on shared community and renewal”, said Jessica Sherman, member of the planning committee for almost ten years. And in this sense, the 2026 festival is no different. The Guelaguetza of Poughkeepsie continues growing and offering more for the community each year: “It’s crazy when I tell people that we had more than 7,000 people in the past couple years”, continued Sherman.
The Guelaguetza 2026 will present the return of Maqueos Music, the beloved band of Oaxacan music, from Los Angeles, along with dance performances from all eight regions of Oaxaca including the Grupo Folklórico of Poughkeepsie, Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York, La Danza de los Diablos and los Zancudos de Zaachila. In addition to the anticipation of more visitors than years past, the organizing committee is also preparing new art activities and activities for kids. Of course, there will also be vendors of all types to share a taste of Oaxaca.
The Guelaguetza Committee —Abisai Caballero; Felipe Santos, Revolución Radio; Isaiah Murray; Margarita Corbatón; Jessica Sherman, Poughkeepsie Public Library District; Mariel Fiori, La Voz; Paola Alonso; and Wilfredo Morel, Sun River Health— is made up entirely of volunteers, “we do what we do because we believe in what’s happening in the community”, emphasized Wilfredo Morel, festival volunteer for more than 15 years. “Volunteers are always welcome”, affirmed Sherman, and clarified that no experience is necessary in order to help out with all sorts of tasks.
If you’re interested in volunteering, email [email protected] or come to the Guelaguetza Committee’s welcome tent the day of the event and offer to help. “Every year there are more people. The Guelaguetza is getting bigger and bigger and because of that we need a lot of volunteers”, seconded Paola Alonso, new edition to the Guelaguetza Committee and volunteer coordinator. Alonso shared her motivation for taking on her new role: give to the community that, in 19 years of the Guelaguetza in Poughkeepsie, has given so much, “So that you feel like Mexico is here!”
And what else can spectators and volunteers expect this year? The Guelaguetza will open with a parade of dancers to Welcome everyone to Waryas Park, headed by the Goddess Centeotl, or the Goddess of Maize. This year the honors have been given to Sharai Martínez. Following will be six hours of music and folk dancing, Oaxacan food vendors, info tables with the participation of local organizations, artisan crafts for sale, snacks, activities for kids, gifts, good vibes, and much more; all with a spectacular view of the Hudson River.
This family-friendly event will take place rain or shine. The consumption of alcohol is not permitted.
19th Guelaguetza of Poughkeepsie
Sunday August 2nd 2026
Waryas Park
From 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
To sign up as a volunteer or for more information about the Guelaguetza of Poughkeepsie, visit their Facebook page @pokguelaguetza or write to [email protected] COPYRIGHT 2026
La Voz, Cultura y noticias hispanas del Valle de Hudson
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