The organizers of the 4th annual Pacific Northwest Folklórico Festival – set for Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Burien Town Square Park – announced they are canceling the 2025 event, citing immigration enforcement activity and a broader political climate they say threatens the safety and wellbeing of immigrant communities.
In an email to supporters, including The B-Town Blog, Joyas Mestizas, the Burien-based folklórico dance organization announced the decision to cancel its upcoming event “in light of the current political climate,” citing strong opposition to recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
“We are angry at the ICE raids and racist immigration policies that tear families apart, and in canceling our event we commit to prioritizing the safety of our community,” the group wrote.
The festival, which celebrates Mexican folklórico dance and culture, had been a staple event in Burien for regional artists and families since 2022. Founded in 1988, Joyas Mestizas is a nonprofit youth folklórico dance organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage and regional diversity of Mexico through traditional dance.
Organizers called the cancellation a continuation of their broader mission rooted in “the 20th-century freedom movements,” emphasizing that their art form “is a testament to our coming together.”
While no specific ICE incidents were cited, the organization said it felt an obligation to act decisively in response to community fears.
“This was not an easy decision, and we are deeply grateful to the dancers, sponsors, small businesses, and community connections that supported us in our planning,” the announcement read.
Joyas Mestizas did not announce a new date or virtual alternative but affirmed their continued commitment to resistance through cultural expression.
Full Text of Announcement
“To our beloved community:
“In light of the current political climate, Joyas Mestizas is saddened to announce the cancellation of the 2025 Pacific Northwest Folklórico Festival.
“We are angry at the ICE raids and racist immigration policies that tear families apart, and in canceling our event we commit to prioritizing the safety of our community. As a community organization born from the 20th-century freedom movements, Joyas Mestizas not only understands the arts as essential to pushing against oppression but recognizes folklorico’s continued existence as a testament to our coming together.
“While we stand firm in our origins, the urgency of our community’s need for safety and security demands immediate action. This was not an easy decision, and we are deeply grateful to the dancers, sponsors, small businesses, and community connections that supported us in our planning.
“With love and service,
“Joyas Mestizas“”
