Riverside Tamale Festival Celebrates 13 Years and a Historic Milestone for the Trujillo Adobe

Riverside Tamale Festival Celebrates 13 Years and a Historic Milestone for the Trujillo Adobe

Riverside Tamale Festival Celebrates 13 Years and a Historic Milestone for the Trujillo Adobe

A Riverside tradition rooted in culture, history, and community returns this spring with renewed significance. The 13th Annual Riverside Tamale Festival will take place on April 18, 2026, at White Park, bringing together families, community leaders, and visitors for a full day of celebration from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Presented by the Spanish Town Heritage Foundation, this year’s festival arrives at a defining moment. The historic Trujillo Adobe was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2025 an achievement that elevates both the site and the festival’s purpose.

A Celebration with Purpose

What began as a local gathering to share the story of the Trujillo Adobe has grown into the foundation’s primary fundraiser and one of the Inland Empire’s most anticipated cultural events.

Now under the stewardship of Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, the Adobe is part of a long-term vision that includes a future cultural and educational center. With more than $10.4 million in state funding secured, the next phase focuses on storytelling ensuring visitors understand the site’s historical importance.

This year, organizers are working toward a $50,000 fundraising goal to install educational panels at the future park, which is expected to be completed in 2028.

“This is the first Tamale Festival since the Trujillo Adobe was recognized on the National Register,” said Nancy Melendez. “It’s a meaningful milestone for our organization and for the community.”

Culture, Music, and Community—Todos Juntos

The 2026 theme, “Todos Juntos” (All Together), reflects both the spirit of the event and the broader cultural moment bringing people together through shared history, food, and experience.

Headlining this year’s festival is Ozomatli, the Los Angeles-based band known for blending Latin, hip-hop, funk, reggae, and global sounds. Celebrating over 30 years of music, their performance anchors a lineup designed to reflect the richness and rhythm of the community.

Additional highlights include:

  • Traditional folklórico dance performances
  • Mariachi music throughout the day
  • Live Lucha Libre wrestling exhibitions
  • Interactive cultural and family programming

Festival grounds will be organized to mirror the vision of the future Trujillo Adobe park:

  • La Placita – A central food and dining experience featuring more than 20 vendors serving tamales and regional cuisine
  • La Escuela Kids Zone – Storytelling, crafts, and educational activities for families
  • La Cantina – A beer garden and social gathering space
  • Artisan booths, community organizations, and retail vendors
  • A VIP lounge hosting the Best Tamale competition

Honoring Riverside’s Roots

The Riverside Tamale Festival is more than a food and music event it is a tribute to the region’s origins.

In 1842, Lorenzo Trujillo and ten pioneer families established the settlements of La Placita and Agua Mansa along the Santa Ana River. Their influence continues to shape Riverside and the broader Inland Empire today.

Event organizers emphasize that preserving this history is essential—not just for reflection, but for identity and connection.

“The Trujillo Adobe reminds us that our roots are deep, our culture is enduring, and our collective presence is powerful,” said Larissa Diaz-Hahn. “When we come together, we’re not just celebrating history we’re affirming that we belong here, and we always have.”

Join the Celebration

The 13th Annual Riverside Tamale Festival takes place:

  • Date: April 18, 2026
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Location: White Park

Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

About the Spanish Town Heritage Foundation

The Spanish Town Heritage Foundation is dedicated to preserving and activating the historic Trujillo Adobe and the legacy of Riverside’s earliest settlements, including La Placita and Agua Mansa. Through cultural programming, education, and community events, the organization ensures that these stories remain accessible for future generations.

PHOTOS from the 2013 Riverside Tamale Festival

2013 Riverside Tamale Festival for for the Trujillo Adobe

Women | Business | Wellness Series Launches in Temecula

Women | Business | Wellness Series Launches in Temecula

Women | Business | Wellness Series Launches in Temecula

Temecula, California — March 26, 2026

In what marks the beginning of a new era for Hispanic Lifestyle’s in-person experiences, the inaugural Women | Business | Wellness Series brought together a dynamic and thoughtfully curated audience inside the women’s store at Macy’s Temecula.

Designed as an invitation-only gathering, the evening reflected a shift in how HL convenes its community—more intentional, more personal, and more connected.

Guests were welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine and a curated gift bag, setting the tone for an experience that blended professional insight with lifestyle engagement.

Event Photo Gallery

A full collection of moments from the Women | Business | Wellness Series launch is now available. From candid conversations to powerful exchanges on stage, the gallery captures the energy, connection, and experience of the evening.

2026 Women | Business | Wellness Series

A Curated Experience at the Center of It All

Set in the heart of the cosmetics and fashion floor, the event transformed a retail environment into a live forum for ideas, inspiration, and connection.

The space was filled with professional women from across the Inland Empire community leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, and elected officials creating a room rich with perspective and shared ambition.

The energy extended beyond invited guests. Passersby paused, observed, and leaned in. Several asked how they could become part of the HL community some ultimately joining the experience in real time.

That response said everything: this wasn’t just an event it was a signal of what’s next.

Voices That Set the Tone

The evening featured conversations centered on dressing for success, presentation skills, confidence, and entrepreneurship topics that resonated deeply with attendees.

Prior to the event, Genoveva L. Arellano shared her enthusiasm:

“I have a lot to say about women, business and wellness… thank you Hispanic Lifestyle for this conversation!”

Her perspective, along with fellow speakers, set the tone for a meaningful and engaging dialogue focused on growth, presence, and leadership.

A Community Responds

The impact of the evening was best reflected in the voices of those in the room.

As shared by Jackie Scott:

“Put on your imagination cap for a second—a successful women-packed event in the center of Macy’s Temecula cosmetic department. Yes, you read that right.”

“So many women came out ready to be engaged and open… sharing valuable insight around confidence, presence, finding your voice, and styling your next move.”

“You found a special way to carry out what you do best—creating connections.”

Her reflections captured the essence of the evening—an environment where women showed up ready to engage, learn, and support one another.

Partners and Community Support

The success of the Women | Business | Wellness kickoff event was made possible through the collaboration of valued partners and community leaders.

We extend our appreciation to our host partner, Macy’s Temecula, whose team created a welcoming and engaging environment that elevated the entire experience.

We also recognize the support of our community host partners, including the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center, credit.org, and Arellano Associates, Inc..

Additional thanks to LatinosTalk for their engagement and support.

Guests also enjoyed thoughtfully prepared offerings from our catering partners, Simply Cheese and Yums by Maria, whose presentation and quality added to the overall experience of the evening.

PRESENTER

Genoveva L. Arellano is the Founder and President & CEO of Arellano Associates, Inc., a leading consulting firm specializing in public outreach and communications for transportation, urban planning, energy and water initiatives.

With more than 30 years of experience, Ms. Arellano has led the development of innovative engagement strategies that integrate digital tools, creative design, and inclusive community outreach. She provides strategic leadership on multi-jurisdictional infrastructure programs, including transportation, energy, water and other local planning projects, helping agencies incorporate meaningful public input into project development.

Her bilingual proficiency and deep connection to the Latino community have made her a trusted advisor for projects aimed at Spanish-speaking and underserved populations.

PRESENTER

Michelle Taylor is a senior operations executive with extensive experience in nonprofit financial counseling, housing programs, and regulatory compliance. At Credit.org, she serves as Senior Vice President of Business Operations, overseeing national programs in credit counseling, debt management, and housing stability. Her leadership ensures adherence to NFCC and HUD standards while advancing operational efficiency, staff development, and measurable client outcomes.

Michelle is recognized for building scalable systems, leading high-performing teams, and executing grant-funded programs with accuracy, accountability, and a commitment to financial empowerment. Her cross-agency experience makes her a trusted leader in implementing large-scale, mission-driven programs with both precision and empathy.

PRESENTER

Jackie Scott is the Director of the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC), where she leads efforts to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale successful businesses. A former entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience building and operating a wholesale distribution company, Jackie brings real-world insight to the founders and business owners she serves.

Beyond her role at IEWBC, Jackie is a recognized leader in the small business ecosystem. She serves on the CA WBC Network Steering Committee, chairs its Advocacy Committee, and holds board positions with the Microenterprise Collaborative Inland Southern California and the Association of Women’s Business Centers, where she also serves as Advocacy Committee Co-Chair.

The Beginning of What’s Next

This kickoff event represents more than a single evening it signals the launch of an ongoing series designed to elevate conversations around business, wellness, and personal growth.

With additional locations already in development, Hispanic Lifestyle is actively seeking partners who align with this vision of curated, high-impact community engagement.

Closing Perspective

What took place in Temecula was intentional.

It was a reintroduction of how Hispanic Lifestyle brings people together not just to attend, but to engage, reflect, and connect.

This is the direction forward.

How to Get Involved

This is an invitation-only experience—by design.

The Women | Business | Wellness Series is built around a curated audience of professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who value meaningful connection and purposeful conversation.

There are several ways to be part of what’s next:

Attend an Upcoming Experience

Participation is limited to ensure a high-quality environment.
Priority consideration is given to subscribers of HL | Update and members of the HL Partner Network.

Become a Community Host Partner

We collaborate with organizations that are actively engaged in their communities and want to bring people together in a meaningful way.
Host partners receive a limited number of curated invitations and are recognized across our platforms.

Partner or Sponsor the Series

We are actively developing future events and welcome aligned partners who see value in connecting with a professional audience through content, experiences, and community engagement.

Submit a Speaker or Contributor

We welcome professionals with expertise in business, wellness, leadership, and personal growth to be considered for future programs.

Stay Connected

To receive updates, invitations, and announcements for upcoming events:

👉 Subscribe to HL | Update
👉 Follow Hispanic Lifestyle across our platforms

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