UTICA, N.Y. — The Mohawk Valley Latino Association kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with its annual Latino American Festival in Hanna Park Sunday.
The theme for the 19th annual festival was “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.”
The free, family-friendly event featured a wide variety of traditional foods, music, and dancing from the many Latino cultures that populate the Mohawk Valley. There was also a dominos tournament and plenty of Latino merchandise for sale.
Festival organizers say the Latino community has been a driving force in the Mohawk Valley for many years.
“The Latino community has been in this area for over 20 years. We celebrate our culture here with our traditional foods and music,” said MVLA Executive Director Sonia Martinez. “There are fears currently that are nationwide, but this is a festival. People and families come to enjoy themselves with a day of peace and celebration.”
Each year, the Latino Festival welcomes over 500 guests from across the Mohawk Valley and beyond. Proceeds support MVLA’s mission to provide vital programs, resources, and services to the Mohawk valley Latino community.
Celebrating Mohawk Valleys Latino culture