A Registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization (EIN: 39-3851393)

Vamos Impact logo
Vamos Impact

Moving from Idea to Action and Impact!

Annual Community Celebration & Fundraiser

Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser 2026
& Fair Trade Holiday Market

Saturday, November 21, 2026: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, November 22, 2026: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Luther Hall at Mount Calvary — 301 County Rd 19, Excelsior, MN 55331

FREE ADMISSION TO THE PUBLIC • Family-Friendly • Community Activities • Outdoor Llama Photos • Silent Auction & Raffles • Fair Trade Global Market

Our 2026 Community Fundraising Goal: $100,000

Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser 2026 Notifications

Get Event Notifications & Announcements

Sign up for our event notifications email list so you receive reminders, schedule alerts, silent auction preview catalogs, and important announcements so you do not miss anything!

Support our Partner Sponsors

Join Us In Celebration

Quick Event Guide & Sections

2026 Event Flyer
100%
Proceeds to Impact
$100K
Community Goal
FREE
Public Entry

Moving Ideas into Action: A Celebration of Community, Culture & Impact

Every year, Vamos Impact gathers friends, families, civic leaders, and local entrepreneurs to celebrate our vibrant cultural heritage and unlock opportunities for the next generation. This two-day festival is an energetic gathering where culture meets community solidarity.

With our ambitious $100,000 community fundraising goal this year, 100% of event proceeds directly power:

  • De la Idea a la Acción Workshops & Technical Assistance to Latinos — Delivering free, practical bilingual business training, financial coaching, and mentorship to immigrant and minority-owned small businesses.
  • The Vamos! Scholarship Fund — Awarding tuition scholarships and college transition support to hardworking Latino high school graduates across the Carver County.
  • Fair Trade Artisan Empowerment — Providing direct global market access to traditional artisan families and cooperatives in Peru.
VamosImpact workshops - Creating Opportunities for Latinos in Minnesota.

"When you empower a student or support an entrepreneur, you transform an entire family and uplift the whole community."

Two-Day Event Program

Festival & Holiday Market Schedule

Join us across both days at Luther Hall for cultural performances, artisan shopping, keynote presentations, and community activities.

🎉 Saturday, Nov 21: Festival & Fundraiser

10:00 AM- 5 PMFair Trade Global Market Open to Public! Café station opens. Fair Trade Market & Silent Auction active. Interactive "Wall of Love" open.
11:00 AM – 1:00 PMTake a Picture with Live Llamas! Outdoor llama photos.
11:30 AM – 3:30 PMLunch Menu is ready! Available (hot sandwiches, hot soups, & treats).
1:30 PM – 2:15 PMKeynotes & Dignitary Welcome — Welcome remarks by Executive Director Juan Llerena; keynote from a local leader.
2:15 PM – 3:00 PMCommunity Panel & Student Spotlight — Carver County grassroots organizers and Latino business owners panel, plus live Vamos! Scholarship recipient testimony.
3:00 PM – 3:30 PMLive Peruvian Dance Showcase — Traditional dance showcase in the center of Luther Hall with interactive community workshop and donation bead games.
3:30 PM – 4:00 PMLive Giving Appeal — Live "Fund-A-Workshop" pledge appeal ($100 / $250 tiers). Reflection by Mt. Calvary representative. Closing Remarks from our Executive Director Juan Llerena.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PMSilent Auction Closeout (Last Call at 4:15 PM) / & Golden Ticket Drawing — 5pm drawing for the Golden Ticket Peruvian Dinner Raffle. Bid processing at Central Money Table, winner checkout, and transition to Sunday hours.

🛍️ Sunday, Nov 22: Fair Trade Holiday Market

8:00 AM – 1:00 PMEarly Morning Market & Services — Fair Trade Market is open to service attendees and the general public. Live acoustic background music, video loop of artisan backstories, fresh coffee & packaged bakery treats.
Partner In Impact

2026 Event Sponsorship Opportunities

Thank you for considering an event sponsorship. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed per law. We accept checks or digital payments via Zeffy. Note: You can skip the voluntary donation to Zeffy by selecting ‘Other’ amount and entering zero.

Thanks to our Amigo Level Sponsors

Fundraising Highlights

Silent Auction Showcase & Annual Raffle

Bid on exclusive experiences and unique packages! Bidding opens November 1st and closes promptly on Nov 21st at 5:00 PM. All contributions directly support our $100k community fundraising goal. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

Item / ExperienceCategoryEst. ValueStarting Bid / TicketPackage Highlights
Private 4-Course Peruvian Dinner for 6Live Auction Star$1,800$1,000 Starting BidCustom chef-prepared 4-course culinary feast in your home with authentic Peruvian wines and pisco cocktail pairings.
Featured Experience PackageCommunity ExperienceTBDTBDExciting community package being finalized. Check back soon for catalog release!
Curated Gift & Experience LotArts & LifestyleTBDTBDGenerously donated lifestyle package. Stay tuned for details!
Local Business & Dining BundleDining & HospitalityTBDTBDFeatured local business contributions and gift cards.
Annual Golden Ticket Community RaffleCommunity RafflePriceless$2 per TicketBuy tickets online via Zeffy or in person at the Central Money Table! Live draw at 5:00 PM on Saturday.

🎁 Donate an Item to Our Silent Auction

Are you a business, artisan, or organization interested in donating an item, gift basket, or experience to our Silent Auction? Contact our team here or email Executive Director Juan Llerena directly at info@vamosimpact.org.

Ethical Holiday Shopping

Fair Trade Global Holiday Market

Shop directly from authentic Andean and Latino artisans. Every purchase promotes ethical wages, preserves indigenous weaving and craft traditions, and provides vital economic dignity to artisan families from around the world. Vendors donate a percentage of their sales from the event to Vamos Impact.

Ethical Alpaca Apparel & Sterling Silver Jewelry

Handmade scarves, beanies, ponchos, and blankets made of hypoallergenic, sustainable alpaca wool, alongside authentic sterling silver jewelry handcrafted by master Peruvian artisans.

Fair Trade Alpaca Knitwear product from Peru

Gift Ideas from All Around the World

Unique gift ideas from all around the world, including handcrafted home decor, pure natural honey, outdoor and garden decor, artistic jewelry, clothing, and much more!

Fair Trade items from aorund the World at the Global Market

Fair Trade Coffee, Tea, Treats & Soups

Single-origin organic coffees, fine teas, delicious bakery treats, nourishing artisan soups, and more! Enjoy at our festival café or purchase as thoughtful holiday gifts.

Fair Trade Coffee and Groceries
Make A Difference

Join Our Volunteer Team: Bring the Festival to Life

It takes a vibrant, passionate community to make this festival a reality. We are seeking volunteers for flexible hour shifts on Saturday, Nov 21. 

High school and college community service hours certified!

Spread The Word

Press & Community Media Kit

Help us invite friends, churches, businesses, and neighbors! Copy ready-to-use social posts, download promotional flyers, and share with your networks.

📋 Copyable Social Media & Newsletter Blurb

"Join me at the 2026 Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser & Fair Trade Holiday Market on Nov 21–22 at Luther Hall in Excelsior, MN! 🎉 Free admission, live Peruvian dance & violin music, outdoor llamas, silent auction, and ethical holiday shopping. 100% of proceeds fund scholarships for Latino youth and free training for small business owners. Details & RSVP: https://vamosimpact.org/2026 #VamosImpact2026 #FairTradeMarket #InvestInLatinoTalent #TwinCitiesEvents #CommunitySolidarity"

Suggested Hashtags: #VamosImpact2026 #FairTradeMarket #InvestInLatinoTalent #TwinCitiesEvents #CommunitySolidarity

📥 Media Downloads & Collateral

Access official high-resolution logos, printable PDF 8.5x11 flyers for bulletin boards, and the official event press release.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about visiting, bidding, volunteering, and supporting the 2026 Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser.

Yes! General admission is 100% free and open to everyone in the public on both Saturday, Nov 21 and Sunday, Nov 22. No ticket is required to enter, enjoy live performances, or browse the Fair Trade market.

The festival takes place in Luther Hall at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, located at 301 County Rd 19, Excelsior, MN 55331. Ample free parking is available directly on-site in the church parking lot with fully accessible entry.

Yes, absolutely! The event is designed for families of all ages. Highlights include an outdoor live llama interaction area, traditional Peruvian dance showcase with interactive workshops, the community Wall of Love note-writing station, and family photo areas.

The online Silent Auction will be open early November, and will close on Saturday at 5 PM. You can place your bids in person on official bid sheets or online via Zeffy. Golden Ticket raffle entries are $2 each (with tickets available online or at the Central Money Table), with the winning prize drawn live at 5:00 PM on Saturday.

Yes. Vamos Impact is an officially registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All charitable donations, silent auction contributions above fair market value, and sponsorships are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. We accept checks and digital payments through Zeffy. When checking out on Zeffy, you can skip the voluntary platform donation by selecting ‘Other’ and entering 0.

Our Café station (10 AM – 5 PM) will offer beverages and treats (coffee, hot cocoa bar, tea, cider, water) will open at 10 AM – 5 PM.

Lunch Menu (11:30 AM – 3:30 PM) will offer hot sandwiches, hot soups, and desserts, open on Saturday 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Food tickets can be purchased on-site at the Central Money Table.

Yes! We proudly verify and sign off on community service hours for high school and college students who volunteer. Volunteers can easily sign up for 2-3 hour shifts via our official SignUpGenius link.

Yes! We warmly welcome businesses, artisans, and organizations to donate gift certificates, unique experiences, or gift baskets to our Silent Auction. Please reach out through our contact page at https://vamosimpact.org/contact or email Executive Director Juan Llerena at info@vamosimpact.org.

We Can't Wait to Celebrate With You!

📍 Luther Hall • 301 County Rd 19, Excelsior, MN 55331 • Questions? Email info@vamosimpact.org

Thank you to our Supporter Sponsors