Unity. Hope. Music. Dance. Camaraderie. Community. Connection. These are all words to describe what you will find at the 10th Annual Bisbee Mariachi Festival on Saturday, November 1 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Warren Ballpark. This year marks a milestone for the festival that didn’t let the COVID-19 pandemic knock it out; however, keeping it going has proven difficult. This may very well be its last year, depending on this year’s attendance turnout and fundraising efforts.

The festival was co-launched by Tony Bedolla, executive director of Bisbee Coalition for the Homeless (BCH), and John Acosta, former president of the board of directors for BCH for 14 years, to raise more funds to help keep the shelter operating. They realized they needed to do more to ensure they could keep the doors open.

“We had our annual fundraising event called Bisbee’s Got Talent, and although it was a money maker, it wasn’t enough,” said Acosta. “I came up with a new idea that would bring not only opportunities for fundraising but a community event that would have culture and, most importantly, unity. Thus, the Bisbee Mariachi Festival was born.”