This Sunday, the community will come alive with music, dance and vibrant culture as locals gather to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Idaho Falls’ Waterfront. The Independencia de México Fiestas Patrias event will honor Mexico’s independence while also celebrating the traditions of Hispanic cultures from across Latin America.
“I'm excited to unite our community, to learn, to enjoy, to share our traditions, our culture, so we can learn together and just enjoy the time,” said Liliana De Sanchez, one of the organizers of the event.
The event will feature live music, food trucks, children’s activities, a car show, a mechanical bull and more than 35 vendors. There will also be salsa dancing and El Grito de Dolores contests, with cash prizes awarded to winners.
“It's time to share our culture, our history, everything that we have to offer here in this country,” De Sanchez said.
Hispanic Heritage Month began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was expanded to a 30-day observance in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. The celebration runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to recognize the diverse cultural legacies and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States.
De Sanchez said she believes it's important for everyone to learn about the histories and cultures that come from Latin America and to preserve traditions by attending events like this.
“We just want to invite everybody,” De Sanchez said. “Come and enjoy our performances, come and enjoy our food, everything that we have to offer and come and learn and see what it's about and why are we celebrating.”
Independencia de México Fiestas Patrias will take place Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. at 1220 Event Center Drive in Idaho Falls. The event is free and family-friendly. For more information visit the Facebook event.
To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month, listen to the full interview on BYU-Idaho Radio’s podcast on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
