One way to think of the El Tigre Festival is like Coachella, but in the Pacific Northwest. And in Spanish.
That was the inspiration behind it, anyway, for organizer Leandro Barrientos.
As the Digital Communications Director for the City of Tigard, OR, Barrientos has been involved with El Tigre since its inception in 2022.
I was trying to emulate something like Coachella, like a smaller festival that’s gone worldwide,
he said. I knew that we were in the right place right time, that we could highlight local artists and something special and community-centric.
Barrientos has been in the music scene for most of his life, and when, after Covid, the city decided to see if a Latino festival could stand on its own two feet, Barrientos was ready to make it happen. Named El Tigre
as a play on Tigard (el tigre means tiger in Spanish, though the city is named for 19th-century founder Wilson Tigard), the festival has grown to include more than 4000 visitors, 70 vendors, nine music, dance or theatrical acts, a youth soccer match, a Filipino celebration in partnership with Filipino American History Month, and remarks by civic leaders.
Build it and they will come,
Barrientos said. We had 2500-3000 people the first year and 30 vendors. One thing we pride ourselves on is demystifying how the government works, so vendors feel empowered. For a lot of people, El Tigre is the first market they brought their product to.
It’s a mission that Ziply Fiber is happy to get behind. With an ethos of connecting local communities in real life and empowering individuals and small businesses with reliable connectivity and transparent plans, Ziply Fiber was proud to sponsor El Tigre, which took place this year over the first weekend of October.
For Ziply Fiber Community Development Manager Kevin Guillen, who is also part of the area’s Latino community, El Tigre is special.
It was very meaningful,
he said. It wasn’t just a community that’s being talked about. It’s also being celebrated, and it’s an invitation for others to get to know what’s human, what connects us.
In addition to running a Ziply Fiber booth at the festival, Guillen also had the opportunity to present the trophy to the winning soccer team.
It was very family-inclusive, and all the kids had a great time,
Guillen said. You got to see multiple generations enjoying the game, and parents and siblings cheering.
The sponsorship helped El Tigre provide awards and referees to the soccer games, which saw around 280 kids between the ages of 8 and 15 on the field. Barrientos values Ziply Fiber’s relationship and Guillen’s contributions.
Kevin Guillen is aligned with his vision that a healthy, thriving community is one that is communicated with,
Barrientos said. I think that’s something Ziply Fiber does well.
Guillen also enjoyed socializing with the other vendors, especially the Tigard Chamber of Commerce in the next booth over and chatting with passersby about food and culture.
A lot of times, if we don’t know each other, if we don’t have community, we don’t have the humanity to bond with each other,
he said. I want to figure out how much good you can fit into one life, and I feel like that’s a part of it.
Barrientos is thrilled to watch El Tigre grow and to continue deepening relationships with community partners, like Ziply Fiber.
You guys really care for customers and the communities you’re providing services to,
he said. That stands out for the community to see that it’s a trusted partner, not just a company.
