Hillyard to celebrate local Hispanic roots

Hillyard will celebrate the community’s Hispanic heritage and culture on Saturday at the fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Festival at Harmon Park, on the corner of Bismark Avenue and Market Street, from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The festival will open with a parade of flags. Other highlights include children’s activities throughout the day as well as information booths hosted by a variety of community organizations. Visitors to the festival will have opportunities to purchase cultural craft items from a variety of vendors and observe Eva Castellanoz, a National Heritage Fellow, who makes wax and paper flowers.

One of the festival’s main attractions will be the daylong entertainment, featuring live music and dance performances, including La Familia Lopez, a local mariachi band, Bolivian music by Koyasoyu and local Latino bands Los Vigiles and Son Dulce. Los Sabrositos de la Raza and Los Bailadores del Sol also will perform. Food vendors will be offering everything from burritos and tacos to ice cream and hot dogs.

The event is held in conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated across the country Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 every year.