Tampa Bomba and Plena Festival Celebrates 11 Years in Land O’ Lakes

The 11th Tampa Bomba and Plena Festival took place on October 18 at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes. The event focused on preserving Puerto Rican heritage through traditional music, dance, and food. More than 11 years in operation, the festival serves as a gathering point for the local Hispanic community.

Alberto Delgado Santiago created the festival to keep Puerto Rican culture visible in the Tampa Bay area. The nonprofit organization uses bomba and plena, two traditional musical forms, to connect different generations of residents. Delgado Santiago stated that the festival is also a way to recognize the contributions of Hispanics to the region’s development.

“This year marks 11 years of the festival, and we are very happy with the support we’ve received from the Hispanic community in Tampa Bay,” Delgado Santiago said. He noted that the event helps share a message of pride and perseverance with the community.

The celebration began earlier in the month with a kickoff event on October 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. Manny Medina, the marketing manager for the venue’s Latin Market, explained that the company supports activities that showcase the cultural values of the Hispanic community. Delgado Santiago said the partnership helped raise the profile of the festival and connected organizers with media outlets.

At the park, attendees watched performers play percussion and dance. Puerto Rican flags were displayed throughout the venue. Luis Miranda, a Puerto Rican immigrant who grew up in New Jersey, attended the festival to reconnect with the sounds of his homeland. He described bomba and plena as expressions that link Puerto Ricans to their history, even when living far from the island.

“This is traditional music, music that touches the heart because it is part of our homeland, our culture,” Miranda said. He encouraged other Hispanic immigrants to maintain their connection to their culture, regardless of where they were born or where they currently live.

Delgado Santiago told attendees that Latinos have a strong voice and should celebrate their identity. He urged the community to move forward fearlessly, mirroring the joy found in Puerto Rican music.