Thirty miles south of Portland, Woodburn is perhaps most widely known for its rainbow of flowers at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm and shopper’s haven Woodburn Premium Outlets. But if you venture further off Interstate-5, you’ll meet a friendly farming community that is a capital of Latino culture in Oregon. “It’s a bicultural, bilingual community,” says Anthony Veliz, who in 2000 became the first Latino elected to the Woodburn School Board. “We welcome all groups.”
For visitors, it’s a place rich with culture to enjoy year-round but especially during the summer during the city’s three-day Fiesta Mexicana. Held annually in August (Aug. 21–23 in 2026), it’s one of the state’s largest celebrations of Latino food, culture, art, music and community.
Generations of Family fun at Fiesta Mexicana
Fiesta Mexicana translated literally means “Mexican party” — exactly the energy the festival brings. Festival-goers can browse artisans’ crafts (such as Guadalajaran clay masks and handcrafted dolls), taste authentic food (elote, tacos, churros, agua frescas and more), enjoy the sounds of mariachi bands, Lucha Libre wrestling, carnival rides and a soccer tournament. On the Saturday of the three-day event, the downtown area lights up with color during the annual parade, which includes horses, traditional dance, lowrider cars shows, floats with elaborate designs and more.
“It has been and always will be authentic; it comes from the people” says Veliz, whose grandparents came to Woodburn from south Texas in 1947 as farm workers. In 1964, Woodburn community members launched a citywide festival called Fiesta Time, meant to mark the end of harvest and show gratitude for its farmers and farm workers. Veliz recalls doing Mexican dancing at age five as part of the celebration; his own children have also participated and grown up helping with the parade and other festivities.
Fiesta Time has since grown into Woodburn’s Fiesta Mexicana, and today is considered an Oregon Heritage Tradition, a designation held by only 15 other events in Oregon. Veliz — who has also served as a Woodburn City Council member and is the incoming chair of the Oregon Board of Education — has worked for the past several decades to shape the festival and other city events into a showcase of the city’s thriving Latino culture.
A Crowned Queen and Court
Fiesta Mexicana is more than a festival — at its core, its a celebration of a Latino community that comes together to support and uplift one another in their small town. That spirit of community is reflected in one of the festival’s most cherished traditions: the Fiesta Mexicana Court.
The Court is made up of local young women who serve as ambassadors for the celebration throughout the year. Through their participation, they develop leadership skills, build confidence, and deepen their connection to the community. The program is supported by local families, businesses, and community members who invest in and encourage the next generation of leaders.
Each year, one participant is crowned Queen, while the others serve as members of the Court, helping preserve and carry forward the traditions that have made Fiesta Mexicana a beloved community event for generations.
If you go: top spots to visit in Woodburn
Before or after the festival, Woodburn is a unique spot for visitors searching for authentic Mexican food. With ninety-five percent of the businesses in downtown Woodburn being Latino-owned and operated, it’s never hard to find a spot for great tacos, flautas and enchiladas. Michoacan-style plates and homemade tortillas make Luis’s Taqueria a must-stop spot. A block away, La Casa de los Machetes specializes in Oaxaquan delicacies, like machetes, tlayudas and huaraches.
Feeling up for a sweet treat? Paleteria Y Neveria El Paisanito is a popular stop for ice cream, with Mexica- inspired flavors like cucumber, mazapan and Gansito, and other Mexican snacks like tostilocos and esquites.
