The inaugural Dia de la Familia festival took place Sept. 13 at Midtown in Carmel. It was a celebration of Latino culture in Carmel, but for festival founder and chairperson Claudia Escalante, it was a celebration of family, too.
Escalante, who moved to Indiana from Colombia in 2000, sees parallels between the family-first tradition that is prevalent in Hispanic culture and in the Midwest. That family-first ethos has made Escalante feel at home in Carmel, and Dia de la Familia was a way to celebrate that part of both cultures.
“If you look at the Latino community, we are family oriented,” Escalante said. “That’s our value that we hold up the highest. That’s the same value that Hoosiers believe in and hold very close.”
Escalante said that the Latino population of Carmel deserves to be celebrated.
“We bring value to the community. We bring value economically, with our brains. We bring value as a culture,” Escalante said.
During the formal ceremony, State Rep. Danny Lopez (R-District 39) and Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam both spoke about the importance of celebrating Carmel’s diversity.
“It’s important to me that we still help this event,” Finkam said. “Many communities canceled events like this, and we want to celebrate our cultural heritage right here in Carmel, Indiana.”
Lopez said it’s important for residents to understand the positive contributions the Latino community brings to the state.
“We have to continue to push and make sure people understand the importance of the Latino community as it continues to grow in Indiana,” Lopez said.
Dia de la Familia kicked off with Latino music performed by the Direct Contact band. The event included food trucks and a scavenger hunt for kids that taught them about Latin American nations.
Escalante said that after high school she briefly lived in Cincinnati, but she missed Hoosier values and relocated to Carmel.
“This community has welcomed me. I have been here for over 20 years. This is where I gave birth to my kids and where I made friends that are now my support system. So, Dia de la Familia is my way of giving back to my community,” Escalante said.
