The Issue: The Festival Latino is set to return to Mount Pleasant at the end of September. Or is it? Some local residents and businesses are not completely stoked about the idea.

Proponent: Alberto Ferrufino of Don Juan restaurant says: “We support the festival 100%. There are a few people here who think they are the king or the government, but I don’t know what they are protesting about.”

Opponent: Kelly DiNardo, manager of Past Tense Yoga studio, writes in a Google group discussion: “We do have some very serious concerns. The current plans call for a stage almost directly outside of the studio. We could not hold classes with that level of noise outside the studio…. While I think the festival provides other value—cultural enrichment, community involvement—it cannot be allowed to damage or undercut Mt. Pleasant businesses.”

Local Resident Sam Broeksmit says: “It’s a very hard neighborhood to traverse from East to West. Last year they closed Irving street.”

Next step: A community meeting to discuss the festival is set for Tuesday 1 September.

CORRECTION: Kelly DiNardo, of Past Tense yoga studio, was identified as an opponent of Fiesta DC’s return. While she did have “very serious concerns” about its impact on her studio’s classes, DiNardo says she supports the festival overall.