The Oxnard Salsa Festival was conceived and launched by the Oxnard Downtowners in 1994
to showcase downtowns revitalization efforts and celebrate Oxnards agricultural and
multicultural heritage. In its first five years, the salsa portion of the festival was mainly
the condiment, but as the popularity of salsa music and dance ignited in the late 90s, the
festival re-branded itself as a celebration of all things salsa food, music and dance.