Reggaeton artist Daddy Yankee will come to a quinceañera expo on Bartlett Street this weekend, according to the event website.
Verizon Wireless is sponsoring the expo, where people can expect a fashion show, vendors, a photo station and other activities, according to the company’s website. At least one vendor will be from the Mission. Mission Street is a known destination for parents shopping for the party.
A quinceañera is a celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday, which signals the transition from childhood to womanhood. It is mostly celebrated in Latin American cultures.
The amount of time and money some families spend organizing a quinceañera party can be comparable to that of a wedding.
Quinceañeras often include a dress, a cake and a limo. A party planner is sometimes required to handle preparation and rehearsals. The lucky winner of Verizon’s essay contest, “My Fabulous Quince,” will win these prizes.
For some, it is a once-in-a lifetime experience. Here’s what one hopeful contestant wrote on the event website:
“I really hope I win! My mom doesn’t have money or a job and you can only have a Quinceañera once in a lifetime, it can only happen once. I’ve been really excited for a Quince since I was 7 until my parents split up. My mom wants me to be the first in the family to have their Quinceañera, but I really hope I can win this! Good luck to everybody else!!!”
The expo will be held on Bartlett Street between 21st and 22nd streets from 1 until 5 p.m. You can bring an old phone or accessory to get a chance to win VIP passes to meet the Puerto Rican artist.