PANAMA CITY — Several Hispanic and Latin American cultures will be in Panama City to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
The public is invited to attend the Hispanic Heritage Festival from 3 to 9 p. m. October 8 at Carl Gray Park, 4400 Collegiate Drive, Panama City. Organized through Panama City, the festival returns for its moment this year in Bay County.
Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, is celebrated across the country and commemorates the history and culture of Hispanic and Latino communities and their influences and contributions to society.
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Sean DePalma, director of the city’s quality of life department, said the main goal of the event is to shed light on the growing diversity of populations in Bay County.
“The Hispanic and Latino population is one of the fastest developing teams in Panama City, and it is vital for our network to showcase their culture in this way,” said DePalma. “We need welcoming integration into mainstream American society and allowing them to get to know their neighbors while being exposed to some of their cultures. “
The Hispanic Heritage Festival explores diverse Hispanic cultures through arts and crafts and a combination of entertainment from local artists and foreign artists from South American countries. The program includes performances through Zona Libre, Gypsy Rhythm Dancers, Interactive Dance, Musico Edwin, Showsen and Pieneros.
In addition to live entertainment, the family festival will feature approximately 50 vendors and 8 food trucks. Other activities include face painting, inflatables, a Velcro wall, a live mural, and more.
With the good fortune of the inaugural event, organizers expect a much larger crowd for this year’s festival. DePalma said the event venue has moved because of downtown’s streetscape project, he hopes the larger venue will allow attendees to enjoy a spacious atmosphere. .
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“We expect it to be much bigger than last year’s occasion,” DePalma said, noting that last year’s festival was held at McKenzie Park. “We are very excited to be able to offer another networking opportunity that integrates other cultures and diversity so that we can have a more balanced city. “
In partnership with the city, the occasion is through First Federal Bank, Ink Trax Inc. , Gulf Coast State College, Florida State University Panama City, Community Heritage Project, Havana Nights Restaurant, Fiesta Party Rentals and Magic World of Rossy.