Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The March 2 and 3, 2019 Riverfest weekend is one that will be remembered by the 1085 people who came out in support of Pasitos de Luz @ Casa Connor, a center for children with disabilities.

The amazing setting at El Rio BBQ took on a life of its own for the two days which were filled with an amazing line up of musical talent that had people up dancing and enjoying everything we had to offer.

On Saturday, 614 attendees came through the gate, and every one of them had seating! The food, supplied by El Rio BBQ Bar, Portobello and Barcelona Tapas, was outstanding. The vendors, auction items, and 50/50 draws added to the main musical attraction. The Gecko Band started the day followed by Anna & the Others, Texas Embassy Blues Band, The Jokers and La Trez Cuartos.

Sunday brought another 471 people in to continue enjoying the music fest with Piel Canela, The Cheko Ruiz Band, Los Bambinos and Johanna's Band.

More than 225 auction items were available during the two days with over 95 percent of them being snapped up. Three 50/50 draws, donation jars and vendors helped bring in more support for the 130 children and their families, most of whom live below the poverty line. Pasitos De Luz is the lifeline for these families. Pasitos provides services FREE and relies solely on funds from donations and events, with Riverfest being our largest fundraiser held in Puerto Vallarta.

Special thanks to our vendors that included Designs by Alison exclusive clothing line, Ada Colorina paintings, Coral Spa Massage. Mae Delgado paintings and sculpture, Che Che, jewelry, Apilu Ser Especial dolls of children with diversity, HGH Vallarta, Anti-Aging Clinic/HGH (human growth hormone) and Testosterone Therapy and Alexander A Salon who did on site Saturday hair cutting! All of these vendors donated funds back to Pasitos de Luz.

This year, we had band sponsors, whose contributions also help Pasitos De Luz to continue to offer all of our services: Bacha's Mexican Restaurant, Café Roma, Captain Don's, Casa Isabel, El Torito Sports Bar and BBQ House, HGH Vallarta, Murphy's Irish Pub, Nacho Daddy, Pasitos Volunteer Group, Puesta Del Sol Centro, ReRunsRFun, Roxy Rock House, Silva Brisset Realtors, and Vallarta Lifestyles.

In addition, the Vallarta Tribune, as our major media sponsor, provided significant profile for the event and Print PV provided printing services support. Banderas News, as always, provided their free promotion increasing awareness and ticket sales and the PV Mirror provided their special charity rates.

Sincerest thanks to the musicians, band sponsors, vendors, businesses and individuals who donated auction items, the volunteers, media technicians, MCs Ron Spencer (Saturday) and Kyle Sinner (Sunday), and all of you who attended and supported us in any way.

Very special thanks go to Kurt Sinner from El Rio BBQ Bar who had the vision for Riverfest and works tirelessly to make this all happen. His belief in Pasitos De Luz is genuine and his contribution of a percentage of sales is significant. Also thanks to great team leaders Barbara Crompton, Larry Leebens, and Verity Leslie.

To everyone involved - your support is how these children are able to receive much needed basic care and hygiene, therapies (physical, speech, massage and more), medicine, nutrition including two meals a day, special education classes, exercise and recreational therapy programs, and access to specialists, doctors and psychologists. And it's life changing for the Pasitos kids.

Stay tuned for final results from the event. You can join us this Thursday, March 14 at El Rio BBQ Bar at 3:30 pm, when Kurt Sinner and I will publicly release the results and present Pasitos de Luz with a check for the proceeds from Riverfest 8!