State College OKs Plans for Havana Fest

State College Borough Council on Monday night unanimously approved plans for a Caribbean-themed festival to be held downtown this summer.

The second annual Havana Fest is scheduled for Aug. 27 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and the 100 block of South Fraser Street.

Organized by Your Cigar Den owner Tony Ghaffari, the event will feature artisanal vendors, traditional Cuban food, live music and a DJ, dancers, demonstrations, cigars and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

In addition to approving use of the plaza and the street, council granted an exception to the open container ordinance, as authorized under the borough’s special events ordinance.

Beer and wine will be permitted only in a designated area enclosed by a fence, according to the application. Alcohol will be provided only to those who receive a wristband after showing a valid ticket and identification to RAMP-certified staff.

Catering will be provided by Jax Bar and Kitchen and Qdoba and alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages provided by Jax Bar or Allen Street Grill, according to the agenda for Monday’s council meeting.

First held in 2019, Havana Fest is an outdoor party in the style of Carnaval Miami, Ghaffari said last year when the festival received a $6,000 tourism grant from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County commissioners for the 2022 edition.

“It has a certain vibe that’s more like a street festival than anything else,” Ghaffari said at the time. “The goal is to bring the sites, sounds, tastes and vibe of the Latin Caribbean lifestyle through live music, live performances, food and drink to central Pennsylvania. We hope to attract people from surrounding counties and states to showcase the charm, inclusiveness and diversity that Centre County has to offer.”

Tickets for Havana Fest are on sale now online, with early-bird discounts available until June 25.

All ticket holders will enjoy a full Cuban meal, Cuban coffee, entertainment, a swag bag, raffles every 20 minutes and, for those over 21, beer and wine. General admission is from 1 to 6 p.m.

A connoisseur package is available with a private lunch at Jax in advance of the main event, at least 25 premium cigars, a pour of Cuban rum, premium swag and early entry to the main festival. Aficionado tickets, meanwhile, come with a a minimum of 20 premium cigars along with entry to the main festival.