DALLAS –The annual Festival de los Mavs, presented by Coors Light, has become a gathering that feels more like a reunion with family and friends, as thousands of people flock to the event each year to catch vibrant, headlining performances on the main stage while simultaneously snacking on authentic food and posing for photos with Dallas Mavericks players from the past and present.
Yena Valencia of Farmers Branch said she never misses a Festival de los Mavs and this year was especially meaningful for a couple of reasons.
“We are Mavericks fans by heart and Selena fans as well,” Valencia said, noting she was thrilled to learn that some performances would honor the late Selena Quintanilla-Pérez . “We came to celebrate her life and legacy with other Mavs fans, and we loved it. Today was amazing.”
This year marked the 11th year the Dallas Mavericks hosted Festival de los Mavs and festivities took place on the plaza at American Airlines Center. Texas City native, Amanda Solis, performed on the mainstage with her Selena tribute.
“When I first saw Selena perform on TV growing up, it shocked me…it inspired me,” said Solis. “For a Latina like me, it was just a huge influence on my life from then on. It gave me hope that I can become something great with ambition like Selena.”
After Solis finished her set, A.B. Quintanilla, Selena’s older brother, headlined Festival de los Mavs with his group, Los Kumbia All Starz, as thousands of fans swayed, bopped and sang with the Mexican-American group in an upbeat, family-friendly environment.
Throughout the festival, fans won tickets to Los Mavs Night, presented by North Texas Ford Dealers, by participating in salsa and grito contests. Dallas-based DJ Avenger kept the crowd dancing all day long.
Dallas Mavericks legend Rolando Blackman and 13-year NBA veteran JJ Barea also attended the Festival de los Mavs and signed autographs. The ManiAACs, Mavs Dancers, Champ and Mavs Man also made appearances at the festival.
Valencia said meeting Barea was the best part of her day.
“I love to teach my children about their Mexican and Latin Heritage, and it means a lot to have someone like JJ on the team, so my children can see someone like them,” Valencia told Mavs.com. “JJ is my son’s hero. Today was just great. I loved every moment. The weather was nice, the food was wonderful, and we got a picture with our favorite player!”
The Dallas Mavericks would like to thank our amazing sponsors for making the 11th annual Festival de los Mavs a massive success for fans and the Dallas-Fort Worth community. Coors Light served as this year’s presenting sponsor. Other sponsors included: Sprite, Univision, Jack Daniel’s, 5miles and Wrangler.
2019 #FestivalDeLosMavs, presented by @CoorsLight, is a wrap! Thank you to thousands of people who came out before the @DallasMavs game!
Great job to A.B. Quintanilla and the Kumbia King All Starz! 🎶🎵 pic.twitter.com/AXQubSxzpC
— Mavs Care (@MavsCare) March 10, 2019
The 11th annual Festival de los Mavs continues! Here is @jjbareapr signing autographs with fans along with hundreds of MFFLs who came out to see all the performances! 🎶🎵 pic.twitter.com/ElVnWyjPxF
— Mavs Care (@MavsCare) March 10, 2019
What a great performance by @amandasolislive! pic.twitter.com/16eFwzwgIm
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 10, 2019
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