The Hispanic community makes up about 14% of Oregon’s population — the largest minority in the state — according to the most recent census. As a woman of Hispanic descent and a resident of Southern Oregon, I’ve been proud to see culture in my region grow and flourish, watching vibrant dancers at just about every local festival in the Rogue Valley, or enjoying the soulful tunes in musical performances by bands like Mariachi Joya de Oro from Talent. We even have community organizations like Familia Unida Bike Builders, who help at-risk youth and show off colorful custom lowrider bicycles at events like the Pear Blossom Parade & Festival in Medford.
A great time to enjoy everything from the arts to traditional food is National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15), but there’s plenty to experience year-round. Here are some of the events, eats and culture you shouldn’t miss in Southern Oregon.
Festive Events in the Rogue Valley
To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, the small town of Central Point — 6 miles north of Medford — hosts the Hispanic Heritage Celebration. There you’ll find booths of community organizations, live mariachi, dance performances, traditional crafts and more.
The Greater Medford Multicultural Fair is always in September in Medford. The celebration includes folk-dancing performances by many cultural organizations. Shop vendors from all over the area featuring handmade art and goods while noshing on bites from food stands.
In Talent, 8 miles from Medford, residents of Latin descent honor and celebrate ancestors by erecting an ofrenda (altar) at Talent City Hall in October as part of the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities. Visitors can leave photos, notes, marigolds — whose scent it is said to attract spirits to the altar — or other special offerings for loved ones. Toward the end of October, runners in the Day of the Dead Race paint their faces in traditional Mexican calavera (sugar skull) designs. Listen to live mariachi bands, watch regional folk dances from performers like Medford-based Ballet Folklorico Ritmo Alegre and enjoy food from various Latin countries.
Sample Cuisine From All Over the Latin World
Southern Oregon’s Latin food scene is robust, with many unique delicacies and fusion dishes alongside more traditional menus. In Medford Kahlo Exotic Grill — named after artist Frida Kahlo — serves breakfast through dinner. For breakfast try huevos motuleños, a Yucatan specialty served with hand-ground salsa, ham, plantains and panela cheese. In a hurry? Freshly baked pastries at Yulissa’s Panaderia bakery, like the popular concha (shell-shaped sweet bread with a crunchy sugar topping), are the way to go for breakfast or afternoon snack time. At Taqueria La Flama food truck their main focus is on al pastor meats cooked the traditional way on a trompo, a vertical rotating spit. For a Japanese-Latin fusion mashup, Tekkamaki offers combinations like a hot-Cheetos sushi burrito or a Cancun sushi roll topped with lemon, jalapenos and hot sauce.
Looking for Peruvian cuisine? Peruvian Point serves traditional fare from two locations, including a new stand at the Phoodery food cart pod in Phoenix, 5 miles from Medford. Traditional marinated chicken and beef dishes are served with spicy aji amarillo and verde sauces.
Look for the house specialty at Frida’s Mexican Kitchen & Cantina in Grants Pass — tortas stuffed a la diabla with spicy steak and sausage. Nearby Lupita’s Taqueria is known for its tacos stuffed with carne asada, carnitas, lengua (beef tongue), fish and shrimp.
Visitors to Sutherlin shouldn’t miss a stop at Huele a Tacos food truck. There you can sample classic mole enchiladas and birria tacos, which have a stewed beef filling coated in crispy cheese and served with birria, a beefy broth to dip your tacos in. Every day the truck offers freshly made agua fresca with rotating flavors like watermelon and passion fruit.
Connect With Community and Shop for Handmade Goods
To see how Ashland celebrates Hispanic culture, head to the Calle Guanajuato near Lithia Park to see a vibrant mural depicting its sister city, Guanajuato, Mexico. Called “Streets of Guanajuato” by Mexican painter Laura Rangel Villasenor, the mural shows views of landmarks and city scenes.
You can also experience a lively swap meet in Medford at La Placita, with individual stalls selling everything from textiles to party decor. For Latin ingredients at grocers and butchers, try El Gallo Mexican Supermarket or Fiesta Market in Medford, El Torito Supermarket in Klamath Falls, and La Zapoteca Market or Micelanea Neza in Grants Pass.
For handmade jewelry, art and clothing, visit El Mercadito in Talent each fall and spring (see the website for dates). Organized by Coalición Fortaleza, this women-led organization focuses on Latin and Indigenous communities in a festive atmosphere with live music.
