Get In The Conga Line in East Wenatchee

East Wenatchee is transforming into old Havana this Saturday evening.

Mayor Jerrilea Crawford says the city's downtown area at Gateway Park near Ninth Street and Valley Mall Parkway will be filled with the sights and sounds of cuban culture.

East Wenatchee is partnering for the summer evening event with the Clearwater this Saturday, August 12th from 5pm to 10pm Activities will be held in the 800 block of downtown East Wenatchee near Gateway Park

Trina Elmes, East Wenatchee Events Director says the idea for Havana Nights sprang from conversations with the owners of the Clearwater in East Wenatchee and plans developed for several months.

Elmes says get ready to mambo, cha-cha and salsa to live Cuban music while strolling Valley Mall Parkway.

Clearwater will offer beer garden, food trucks will cater to hungry attendees and cigar aficionados 18 and older can enjoy hand rolled cigars.

Tying in the Havana Nights theme, both pre-1960 and newer classic vehicles will be displayed up and down the block. Cuba is essentially a living museum for classis cars today after the U.S. embargo was enacted after the Cuban revolution and Castro banned American auto imports.

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Two of the top Cuban music bands have been hired to perform live throughout the evening starting at 5pm and Elmes says some mambo and salsa dancers will be demonstrating the basic steps so everybody can join in the fun.

East Wenatchee Mayor Jerrilea Crawford has promised to join in the dancing but joked "I will be out there dancing but I will tell people to put their phones away, do not record that"

Awards for about a dozen categories will be given out for the classic cars on display and Elmes anticipates about 100 to show up for Havana Nights.

The mayor says there are more than 110 parking spaces within a 3 minute walk of the 9th & Valley Mall Parkway location for visitors to access, mostly on sidestreets.

So start practicing to those Cuban rhythms and get ready for Havana Nights in downtown East Wenatchee.

For more information, visit the East Wenatchee event page