Forget Stampede, there’s a fiesta going on in downtown Calgary this weekend.

The sixth annual Fiestaval Latin Festival is well underway, with Latin food, art, music and dancing at Olympic Plaza.

Walking through the thousands of attendees, food vendors and artists, visitors will see MC Alex Pinzon on stage, directing the acts from Mexico, Columbia, Dominican Republic and elsewhere.

He said those attending for the first time will get a full lesson in Latin culture.

“A wide variety of what Latin America is all about and what we Calgarians are all about, Calgary is growing and we have a lot of cultures here meeting,” he said.

Pinzon said the festival is already on pace to break previous attendance records, like the 2011 mark of 46,000.

The acts also include local talent like 10-year-old Mia, who is proud to perform on stage with her friends, but to also see non-Latinos take in the festival.

“To see how the traditions go in each country, in each culture,” she said.

Food is a major draw and Pinzon said two taco vendors have been fighting to see who can best perfect the popular dish.

But he added, he has another favourite.

“Now my recommendation this year, food from Columbia,” he said. “Grilled beef, Columbian-style, empanadas, you’ve got to try it.”