La Danza was established to represent the Hispanic commu­nity in the Barnum Festival's annual celebration and to high­light the contributions and culture of Hispano-America. La Danza became an integral part of the Barnum Festival roster of events under the leadership of the 1996 Ringmaster Michael Bisciglia, co-founders Rosa j. Correa and Ana L. Garcia, who were inspired by Puerto Rico's national dance.

More than a musical genre associated with the turn of the century, La Danza is now symbolic of the significant presence of the diversity of Hispanics in the Greater Bridgeport communities. La Danzacelebration helps to highlight the contributions and talent of Hispanics in Fairfield County and beyond. In 2006, more than 400 people from as far away as Puerto Rico crowded into the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport to celebrate La Danza and the culture and dance of Spain.  In the past, La Danza has paid tribute to Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Columbia, Peru, Venezuela, El Salvador, Spain, and Argentina. In 2007, La Danza is scheduled to feature the culture of Ecuador.