
“Life is a carnival.” – Celia Cruz (Queen of Salsa Music)
Whether you call it a juerga, reventón, pachanga, guaracha, jarana, or a fiesta, the Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 13th Annual Sabor did not fail to intrigue, amaze and stimulate the senses.
To paraphrase Shakespeare: a party by any other name would still be a little chaotic, explosive, exciting and, of course, entertaining.

Special Thanks to Presenting Sponsor Blue Moon Brewing Company

A Dia de Los Muertos figure oversees the guests at the Sabor 2021 event held August 6 at the Denver Botanic Gardens

The diverse and colorful costumed hosts welcomed hundreds of guests to the 13th Annual Sabor event presented by Blue Moon Brewery this year

It’s not a party without an authentic Mariachi band.
This year’s theme was “A Sensory Exploration of the Americas” a colorful and dynamic celebration presented by Blue Moon Brewing Company with sponsors: Don Julio, Schomp, American Facility Services Group, Tequila Herradura, and Pepsi. Hosted by the Denver Botanic Gardens for more than a decade now, the Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (COHCC) premier signature event was a feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds.
The annual celebration is a gastronomic and multicultural Latin American and Caribbean event with a carnival-like atmosphere that easily attracts more than 1,000 guests at the 22-acre Gardens and features musicians, restaurant vendors, artists, and dancers. President/CEO Mike Ferrufino was busy throughout the evening and was grateful to his staff and board for their contributions to such a large gathering.
Truly a Latin experience that captured the colors, flavors and styles of Mexico, United States, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and El Salvador, to name a few.
Restaurants and vendors offered a steady stream of drinks including: horchata, craft beer, malbec, pisco sour, tequila, palomas with live Tango, Mariachi, Salsa, Flamenco, and Rock en español.
The annual fiesta ended with a champagne and dessert after-party lasting till 10 p.m. which felt just right for most revelers who enjoyed the diverse Latin American sensory experience.
- The Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual Sabor event was hosted by the Denver Botanic Gardens
- Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chair Sofia Aguilar and board member Manuel Tejada
- Guests were greeted with much fanfare
- COHCC Board Members: Marcella de la Mar, Angela Bricmont, Sofia Aguilar, Patsy Landaveri
- Hundreds arrived for Sabor 2021 at the Freyer Newman Center
- The Mariachi band welcomed guests to the Denver Botanic Gardens
- Guests enjoyed the view from the balcony
- Denver Zoo President/CEO Bert Vescolani and Patricia Robinson, WOW! Internet Cable & Phone
- Carrie Olson, Tamara Acevedo, Margarita Colindres
- Janet Vizguerra, Diana Aremas
- Denise Suarez, Crestina Martinez, Colorado State Representative Naquetta Ricks
- Violinist performs at one of many Botanic Garden venues
- The Denver Botanic Gardens has hosted Sabor for more than a decade
- A half dozen Latin American nations- including Colombia– featured their unique food, music and dance were featured at this year’s event
- Claudia Castro and Giovanna Zayas relax before the party begins
- Cristina Gamez and Cappy Dimas of Glam Balloons
- Vanessa Benavides and Sandra Benavides from the Consulate General of Peru
- Marco Rengifo, Mario Gilberto Morataya Sorto (Vice Consul of El Salvador), Jeriann Howard, Samantha Le
- Sabor 2021 featured four hours of food, drink and entertainment
- Hosts in pre-Columbian indigenous dress of the Americas welcomed guests to the event
- Stephanie Salas, Ana Gomez
- Aurora Mayor and past US Congressman Mike Coffman with Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Mike Ferrufino
- Guests and chamber members enjoyed a diverse menu during the event
- Ileana Rod, Alexis Dominguez
- Tyla Weatherspoon, and Faye Tate of Co Bank
- Savannah Cordova, Bianca Cueva
- Enrique of the Sontres Banda Latina
- Kim West, Amanda Rodriguez
- Roxana Toledo, Amanda Portillo, Valeria Sandoval
- Ana Carrillo, Fatima Madrid
- Fatima and Omar Oronia
- Sontres band kept guests dancing all night
- What’s salsa music without percussion?
- Beer samples were just some of the vendor restaurants featured this year
- The many faces of Peruvian culture
- The familiar yellow, blue and red colors of Colombia are proudly displayed
- Latinos representing half a dozen Latin American nations came to celebrate
- Let the pachanga or party begin!
- The 13th Annual Sabor attracted a full house of guests
- Sabor offers their own version of tacos
- Peruvian dancers entertained in traditional costumes
- Don Julio Tequila was among 6 key sponsors of this year’s event
- Hundreds attended the 2021 Sabor celebration well into the evening
- Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Member Paulette Grant Tate and former lawmaker and attorney Penfield Tate III
- Still partying late into the evening
- Jessica Acosta, Christina Gonzalez, Griselda Ayala, Ariane Torres
- Guests enjoyed the dessert and champagne after-party
- The annual Sabor event attracts hundreds of celebrants
- Smiles throughout the night at the Sabor 2021
- Polo and Marta Romero with Lucy and Angel Hernandez
- Andres Carrera, Rep. Naquetha Ricks
- The Mariachi band greeted guests outside the Botanic Gardens
- This year’s Sabor Theme: A Sensory Exploration of the Americas
- Chamber board members and staff were busy preparing for this year’s event
- Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce board members: Marcela de la Mar, Angela Bricmont, Chair Sofia Aguilar, Patsy Landaveri
- The balcony of the Freyer Newman Center offered a bird’s eye view of the fesitivities
- Sabor events were held indoors and outdoors in anticipation of mixed weather conditions
- Hundreds of guests patiently waited to enter the Denver Botanic Garden Gates
- The celebration attracted many to the Botanic Gardens
- Roxana Toledo, Justin Gilmore, Amanda Portillo, Valeria Sandoval
- Isaura Bernal and Andrea Bernal
- Decorations adorned the festivities
- Guests enjoyed the evening with many musicians and dance presentations
- Peruvian folkloric dancers perform a traditional candle dance
- Mexican performers were on hand to help celebrate the event
- A Mariachi guitarist takes a break
- Stacey and Angela
- McKenna and Ayla Besemer