Art and Literacy Festival in Pacoima this Saturday

The San Fernando Valley book fair “Celebrating Words: Art and Literacy Festival” takes place this Saturday, featuring a 25' rock climbing wall, art workshops, music, heritage, nature, wellness, food and drinks

Over 1,000 books will be given away  to promote literacy, help community members become active readers and build their personal libraries. These will be new books for all ages in English, Spanish, and bilingual formats. Each person can receive one book, and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. You can view this year's book selection by accessing their catalog on their website.

This year, the festival will have volunteer ASL Interpretation in collaboration with local interpreter programs which will provide support at both entrances to enhance accessibility. Some of the volunteer interpreters may be students.

It's family-friendly and suitable for all ages. This event is presented by Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural, dedicated to transforming communities in the Northeast San Fernando Valley through arts, literacy and creative engagement. The festival's goal is to provide free, quality, and culturally relevant books to the community.

The festival will also have art giveaways, community conversations, plant-based food vendors and live music performances. There will even be a 25-foot rock climbing wall and food.

This year’s musical performances by Flor y Canto feature Carlos y Charlos, Sancho Villa, Mariachi Juvenil Rey de America, Gr818ers, Sisters of the One Drum, Lil’ Reader’s and Opening Ceremony by Kalpulli Temachtia. 

A wealth of all-day outdoor workshops

Literacy Lane: A Home of My Own, Stamp & Collage Station, Never Enough Bookmarks, Snail Mail Station, Make a Book, Let’s Make Comics! Bici Arte and SOWing Greatness.

Ancestral culinary and herbology: CoCo Cocina, Native Seed Ball Making Workshop, Soothe & Bloom: Herbal Salve Making Workshop, and Sabor a Pacoima: Cooking Demo and  Marigold Sugar Scrub making.

Mini Resource Fair: Otro Mundo, Indigenous Resistance: From the Jordan River to the Lacandon Jungle, Art Exhibit: Palestina en la Memoria, Art Exhibit: Sierra Arts, Talking With Plantcestors, Indigenous in Real Time, Ajupeme USA –ancient Mesoamerican ballgames, Sonido Perro Negro Cumbia, Rock Climbing Wall, ArTES,

Magnet High School - Ask A Student. Creative Resistance workshops: “We Free Us” Maze,   Arte Sana, and Do-It-Yourself Light Up Card!, Phone booth.

Visit www.tiachucha.org/celebrating-words-festival for the full event schedule, bicycle valet, and shuttle services.

The festival will be held on May 31, 2025, from 2 to 7 pm inside the Global Green Generation campus located at 11200 Herrick Ave, Pacoima CA 91331.

Street Parking and Vaughn Community Center (Across the street). Bicycle Valet- Ride your bicycles to the festival and they will park it.