POTTSTOWN PA – For a ninth year, the non-profit Centro Cultural Latinos Unidos (CCLU) is ready to locally launch Hispanic Heritage Month, with its Pottstown Latin Festival.
The festival is scheduled for Saturday (Sept. 14, 2024) from noon to 5 p.m. at the PECO Pavilion in the borough’s Riverfront Park on College Drive. The free event uniquely combines both American and Latino cultures.
CCLU proudly describes itself as “the only Pottstown-based grassroots organization addressing the needs of Latino children, youth, and parents.” It continues to connect families with needed educational, recreational, legal, and health services.
The agency refers to the festival as “a centerpiece” of its mission to bridge American and Latino cultures across the greater Pottstown area. Saturday’s featured entertainment includes:
- Music by Mariachi Mayas,
- A fashion show with Latino costumes,
- Food from several Latin American countries,
- Gift card raffles,
- Mechanical bull riding, a bounce house,
- A piñata, and other children’s games.
Additionally, free opportunities for kayaking and bicycle riding are being offered by Take It Outdoors, and the Schuylkill River Greenway. Also, Pottstown area artists will engage the public in a variety of arts and crafts.
About National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
The observance began in 1968 President Lyndon Johnson, but at the time was limited to only a week. In 1988, it was expanded to a full month by President Ronald Reagan.
Sept. 15 is a culturally significant day for Latinos, according to a Library of Congress website, for three reasons:
- It is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua;
- Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively; and
- Columbus Day (Oct. 12), or Día de la Raza, falls within the 30-day period.
Graphic by Seamartini on Deposit Photos, used by Travels With The Post under license
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