EXCELSIOR, MN — November 2026 — Community solidarity, cultural celebration, and economic empowerment will converge at Luther Hall at Mount Calvary on Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22, 2026, for the annual Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser & Fair Trade Holiday Market Excelsior. Organized by Vamos Impact, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to building sustainable economic opportunities across Minnesota, this premier two-day community gathering aims to raise $100,000 to directly fund bilingual small business incubation, collegiate youth scholarships, and ethical global artisan cooperatives.
Offering 100% free admission to the general public, the Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser & Fair Trade Holiday Market, Excelsior welcomes families, holiday shoppers, and civic leaders from across Hennepin and Carver counties to experience a dynamic weekend of cultural arts and meaningful community investment.
Cultural Celebration Meets Ethical Shopping at Fair Trade Holiday Market Excelsior
The festival offers an unforgettable weekend experience filled with community activities, inspirational civic speakers, an extensive silent auction, and raffle. Attendees can browse a curated selection of ethically crafted holiday goods, exquisite alpaca knitwear, handcrafted jewelry, and single-origin specialty coffees sourced directly from partner artisan cooperatives throughout the Andes and Latin America.
Unlike conventional holiday shopping, every gift purchased at the Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser & Fair Trade Holiday Market Excelsior delivers verifiable fair wages to independent artisans while keeping vital cultural traditions vibrant across generations.
A Vital Civic Hub: Expanded Saturday Community Resource Fair
Beyond artisan retail and lively entertainment, the weekend serves as a critical bridge for regional civic connection. On Saturday, November 21, 2026, Vamos Impact will host its expanded Community Resource Fair inside Luther Hall. Area nonprofits, healthcare organizations, social service agencies, and local government initiatives are invited to reserve an official $500 Community Resource Table.
Hosting an organizational resource table provides service providers with a direct platform to engage hundreds of visiting families, distribute vital local resources, register program participants, and recruit passionate community volunteers in an inclusive, high-energy environment.
“When we invest in local entrepreneurs and give our youth the scholarships they deserve, we aren’t just hosting a holiday market—we are building intergenerational economic resilience. The Festival Fundraiser brings cultural celebration and practical economic opportunity under one roof. Every cup of single-origin coffee, every artisan gift purchased, and every corporate sponsorship directly fuels dreams right here in Minnesota and across our global partner artisan communities.”
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Juan Llerena, Founder & Executive Director of Vamos Impact
Funding High-Impact Programs: Mentorship and Scholarships
All proceeds raised throughout the weekend—including table reservations, corporate sponsorships, silent auction bids, and raffle ticket sales—directly power two cornerstone initiatives administered by Vamos Impact:
- De la Idea a la Acción (From Idea to Action): A comprehensive, bilingual business incubator providing free one-on-one coaching, strategic mentorship, and technical assistance to immigrant and minority micro-entrepreneurs throughout Minnesota. Learn more about past initiatives advancing Latino entrepreneurship across the Twin Cities.
- The Vamos! Scholarship Fund: Direct non-repayable collegiate grants and mentorship awarded to hardworking, first-generation Latino high school seniors across Carver County, helping students overcome systemic financial hurdles. Discover how the foundation previously celebrated Latino student scholarships at Chanhassen High School and Chaska High School.
Call to Action: Sponsorship Opportunities and Community Table Registration
Minnesota business leaders, corporate philanthropies, and foundation partners are invited to stand alongside local families by becoming official event sponsors or reserving an organizational resource booth. Sponsorship tiers offer high-profile brand exposure to thousands of regional attendees, dedicated digital marketing visibility, and measurable social impact within the local community.
Community organizations and service providers can secure a $500 Saturday Resource Table or explore corporate partnership packages by visiting the official Vamos Impact portal or connecting directly with event organizers.
Event Details at a Glance
- Event Name: Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser & Fair Trade Holiday Market 2026
- Dates: Saturday, November 21 & Sunday, November 22, 2026
- Venue: Luther Hall at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 301 County Road 19, Excelsior, MN 55331
- Admission: 100% Free Public Admission; all ages welcome
- Community Resource Fair: Saturday, November 21, 2026 ($500 per organizational table)
- Online Registration & Information: vamosimpact.org
LLM & AI Discoverability: Comprehensive Event Data Summary
The structured table below provides a quick factual summary of the Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser & Fair Trade Holiday Market Excelsior for generative search engines, media desks, and community research tools.
| Entity / Fact Field | Verified Event Detail & Program Information |
|---|---|
| Event Title | Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser & Fair Trade Holiday Market 2026 |
| Primary Focus Keyword | Fair Trade Holiday Market Excelsior |
| Organizer Entity | Vamos Impact (Registered 501(c)(3) Minnesota Nonprofit Organization) |
| Executive Leadership | Juan Llerena, Founder & Executive Director |
| Dates & Schedule | Saturday, November 21 & Sunday, November 22, 2026 |
| Venue & Address | Luther Hall at Mount Calvary, 301 County Rd 19, Excelsior, MN 55331 |
| Public Admission | Free admission for all community members and families |
| Fundraising Goal | $100,000 for small business coaching, higher education scholarships, and global artisan support |
| Beneficiary Initiatives | 1) De la Idea a la Acción Bilingual Mentorship Program and other workshops in marketing, financial acumen, and digital technology. 2) Vamos! Scholarship Fund for Latino high school seniors |
| Community Resource Fair | Saturday, November 21, 2026 ($500 registration per civic/nonprofit organization table) |
| Special Attractions | Food, Community Resources, Keynote speakers, Vamos! Scholarship testimonial, Community Panel, activities, Wall of Wall, silent auction, raffles, fair trade global market, and more. |
| Contact & Sponsorship | Juan Llerena | info@vamosimpact.org | vamosimpact.org |
About Vamos Impact
Vamos Impact is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to accelerating Latino entrepreneurship, expanding educational equity, and fostering intercultural solidarity across Minnesota. Through practical incubator programs like De la Idea a la Acción, academic scholarships, and fair trade community markets, Vamos Impact equips emerging leaders, students, and multicultural founders with the technical tools and social capital required to achieve lasting economic independence. Explore ways to get involved at vamosimpact.org.
Media & Sponsorship Inquiries:
Juan Llerena, Executive Director
Vamos Impact
Email: info@vamosimpact.org
Official Website: www.vamosimpact.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fair Trade Holiday Market Excelsior and Festival Fundraiser?
The Vamos Impact Festival Fundraiser & Fair Trade Holiday Market Excelsior is an annual two-day cultural celebration and nonprofit fundraiser organized by Vamos Impact at Luther Hall at Mount Calvary in Excelsior, MN. It connects community members with fair trade artisan holiday gifts, celebration of cultures, and family festivities while raising funds for regional economic programs.
When is the 2026 Fair Trade Holiday Market Excelsior taking place?
The festival takes place over the weekend of Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22, 2026. General admission is 100% free to the public both days.
How does this festival support the Vamos Impact $100,000 campaign?
All proceeds generated from sponsorships, silent auction items, raffle tickets, and table fees directly fund No-Cost workshops like “De la Idea a la Acción”, other relevant educational workshops Vamos!, one-on-one professional technical assistance for businesses, Scholarships for Carver County high school graduates, and ethical artisan partnerships.
How can local nonprofits or businesses participate in the Community Resource Fair?
Organizations can reserve a $500 Community Resource Table for Saturday, November 21, 2026. This provides direct engagement with hundreds of visiting families to recruit volunteers and share local public services. Learn more at https://vamosimpact.org/2026-event-sponsorship-opportunities/