Who We Are

The Michelada Festival was created to celebrate food, music and heritage in Downtown Fort Worth.

Since its inaugural event in 2016, the festival has received a tremendous response and support from the City of Fort Worth, elected officials, area stakeholders, local businesses and most importantly, the Fort Worth community!

Through its nonprofit, Connect Respect, the Michelada Festival raises funds to award scholarships to FWISD graduates. Proceeds also support its mission to “Encourage people to find a CONNECTION through peaceful social exchange and develop RESPECT for one another through open understanding.”

The Michelada Festival provides a safe, family friendly environment in beautiful Downtown Fort Worth. Any and everyone is welcomed to enjoy food, music and heritage while supporting local businesses and celebrating the Fort Worth community!

Meet the Team

Patricia Castillo

  • Patricia Castillo is the Executive Director of the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization Connect Respect and founder of the Michelada Festival which is the organization’s lead fundraising event.

    Previously, Patricia worked at Festival Productions, Inc. New Orleans as the staging and production administrator for both the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Essence Music Festival. Before joining FPI, she managed and supported national marketing programs Crest Totalmente Latina Tour, Tampax Total You Tour, BET Black College Tour and the EBONY Black Family Reunion Tour for a multicultural event marketing agency for Procter & Gamble.

    Patricia is a Green B. Trimble Technical High School graduate and received both her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. During her free time, Patricia enjoys family time, her English Bulldogs, live events, volunteering for Meadowbrook United Methodist Church, traveling and reading.

    Photos by RG Photography, Location: Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Frances DeLeon

  • Frances De Leon is a native to Fort Worth, a product of the Fort Worth Independent School District and graduate of Texas Christian University.

    Her passion for children has guided her through education positions from pre-K 3, to Admissions for Texas Wesleyan Law School to an adjunct instructor at Tarrant County College. She currently works for the Fort Worth Catholic Diocese with students Pre-K through 8th grade.

    Community services include:

    PTA President South Hills Elementary School

    Coordinator for Sacrament Preparation St. Andrews Catholic Church

    Campaign Director for Judge Sergio DeLeon Campaign

    Photos by RG Photography, Location: Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Debra Thomas

  • Debra Thomas is an entrepreneur that wears many hats and vows to be an approachable person. She created a unique piece within, that has allowed her to share this contagious smile with the universe. Strategizing and valuing life experiences has taught her the importance of mind, body, and soul.

    Her focus is a healthy lifestyle, encouraging others to rethink quick fixes and embrace the beauty and benefits of hard work. For if you take care of your body, it shall take care of you. Debra has plans soon to launch S.I.S. in hopes of stirring up and inspiring women and men of all ages to modernize their Mind, Body, and Soul.

    Photo by RG Photography

Clarence Reginald Toussaint

  • Clarence “Reginald” Toussaint began his musical journey 30 years ago as an audio engineer alongside his father, the late great, Allen Toussaint. Until his father’s untimely death, Reginald was Allen Toussaint’s Personal, Business, Tour and Production Manager as well the percussionist in the band.

    Over the last 30 years Reginald has become a staple figure for Festival Productions, Inc. New Orleans where he is currently the Stage Production Executive Director for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Bayou Country Superfest. His production experience also includes the Essence Music Festival, New Orleans Saints game day concerts and The Great American Music Fest at Daytona. When he is not performing, he is engineering several artists both locally and nationally. He is the Ampex Award Winner for Engineer New Edition.

    Mr. Toussaint studied International Business with an emphasis in Music Law at Loyola University in New Orleans. He continues to grow in his craft and credits his father for his lifelong passion and career trajectory in the music industry. Life, Love & Faith!