Monday marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month nationwide. In our county of just over 1 million people where Hispanics and Latinos make up nearly one-fourth of residents — more than 217,000 to be specific — there are plenty of ways to celebrate Latinx culture close to home.
There is also time to partake in festivities as the observance, which started as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, and became a monthlong celebration from September 15 through October 15 under President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
Below are seven ways to experience the culture, people, food and festivities, courtesy of Visit Montgomery.
- Hispanic Heritage Month Festival: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage on Sunday, October 12 at Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Wheaton for its second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival. Admission is free for the public.
- AFI Latin American Film Festival: Film fans in the county have the opportunity to attend the largest and longest-running Latin American film festival in North America at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. It runs from Thursday, September 18 to Thursday, October 9. A ticketed event, the cost of entry buys movie goers a chance to see exclusive films and hear from Latin American directors and writers in town for the event.
- Bachata y Mas: Bachata is a playful Latin dance originating from the Dominican Republic that is known for its fancy footwork. Dance enthusiasts from beginners to advanced levels will have an opportunity to learn about all the different styles of Bachata at Glen Echo Park during Bachata y Mas Saturday, September 20 and Saturday, October 18 in the Spanish Ballroom.
- Sabor Latino: Enjoy salsa on Saturday, September 18 at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown during a Latin music dance party. Salsa instructors will be on hand to teach moves, while the rhythms will vary from salsa and bachata to reggaeton and merengue.
- Back Room Salsa Night: Get ready to dance the night away at Glen Echo Park’s Back Room Salsa Nights Friday, September 19 and Friday, October 17 in the Spanish Ballroom. Get a one-hour beginner dance lesson prior to an open call for dancers on floor with a DJ spinning tunes.
- Flavor and Culture Hispanic Heritage Block Party: On Saturday, October 18, Takoma Park will be home to a Hispanic Heritage Block Party on Holton Lane where party goers can listen to the sounds of Trio Caliente and a blend of flamenco, Latin pop, and dance music.
- Family Loteria Night: Hang out with family and play a game of Loteria, a traditional Mexican board game of chance that is kind of like Bingo, at the Casey Community Center in Gaithersburg on Friday, September 19. Enjoy crafts, light snacks, activities, games, and a live performance.
Do you know of a community event during Hispanic Heritage Month that MCM should highlight? Contact us here.
