Naperville Sister Cities Foundation will host Hispanic Heritage Festival, a time to celebrate Hispanic culture with food, art, music and colorful costumes. Admission is free. (PN File Photo)
The Naperville Sister Cities Foundation will host its to the fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Festival from 5PM to 9PM Sat., Sept. 14, in Central Park located in downtown Naperville.
The community is welcome to enjoy Mexican Independence Day and all Latin countries with a vibrant showcase of food, art and music.
This event is an opportunity to become immersed in diverse Hispanic culture while enjoying a variety of activities throughout downtown, including live Spanish genre music, dance and food with special events at Nichols Library.
Be sure to visit two of the 33 works of art on the Olmec Trails: Cultural and Legacy Art now on display in Naperville. One is featured along Jackson Avenue, just south of Nichols Library. A second large head is located at the 95th Street Library.
Come and experience the rich diversity that Naperville has to offer while supporting cultural, educational and business exchanges that highlight Naperville Sister Cities.
Community welcome, admission is free
Organizers welcome the community to celebrate together and embrace the spirit of unity and culture. Naperville Sister Cities is pleased to present unique cultural music by Mariachi Gavilanes, Folklorico Dancers, mixed with our local Young Naperville Singers.
“Enjoy food from local merchants with a sweet twist on Hispanic foods,” notes Alan Lowe who serves the Naperville Sister Cities.
“Our First Responders will be recognized and awarded at this year’s event,” said Patty Gustin, Vice-Chair of the Naperville Sister Cities Foundation.
The Foundation partners with Nitra, Slovakia; Patzcuaro, Mexico; and Cancun, Mexico; Naperville’s three Sister Cities by facilitating cultural, business, and educational relationships between Naperville residents and those cities.
For a full list of activities with times and locations, more information about the festival and how to get involved, visit www.napervillehispanicfest.com.
Naperville Sister Cities Foundation
The Naperville Sister Cities Foundation is a nonprofit committed to connecting Naperville and its citizens to other communities around the world. The Sister City Program was initiated in 1956 as a creative force for international cooperation and goodwill through community action. Naperville’s participation in the program started in 1993 as the Naperville Sister Cities Commission, and the Naperville Sister Cities Foundation was formed in 1999. The Foundation sponsors programs designed to foster inclusivity and diversity through cultural, education, and business exchange between Naperville and its sister cities. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 donations are tax deductible.
Update, Sept. 15, 2024 / Hispanic Heritage Month begins mid-month, running from the middle of September through the middle of October. According to the DuPage Hispanic Alliance, the timeframe is significant because many Central American countries celebrate their independence days within these dates, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. By aligning the dates of these independence days, “Hispanic Heritage Month honors the resilience and determination of the Hispanic community.”
