On October 1, November 12, 2022, Peachtree City will host its second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival to proudly represent the 8,000 Hispanic residents in Fayette County. The local initiative began with a single vision of two career moms - Maricela Laverde and Mariana Campos. A potluck picnic for families and friends at Lake McIntosh six years ago is now a gesture of pride and passion to gather local residents to embrace the true richness of the Hispanic culture through music, dance, food, and art.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a 30-day-long recognition of the noteworthy contributions that Hispanics have made in making America great. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week. Twenty years later, President Ronald Reagan expanded the initiative to a full month. Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off on September 15, and concludes each year on the fifteenth day of October.
The Hispanic culture represents over 60 million people living in the U.S., making them the second largest ethnic group in the country (“Hispanic” refers to a person originating (or of heritage) from a Spanish-speaking country). Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, communities around the U.S. embrace the history, arts, music, literature, and food of various Hispanic countries. From big cities to small towns, parks and streets come alive in a rainbow of colors, displaying colorful costumes, beautiful dances, upbeat music, and flavorful foods.
The Hispanic Heritage Festival of Peachtree City is a free event that is open to the public. The show will begin with a mariachi band, followed by salsa and Mexican ballet dances, a flamenco performance, and a traditional horse dance-drill. The festival will end with a Spanish rock band. Dishes from Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Cuba origins will be available for purchase from food trucks. A variety of adult beverages and non-alcoholic drinks will also be sold. Local artisans and artists will showcase their colorful crafts. Entertainment for children will include art & craft sessions, face painting, and a bounce house. Proud sponsors of the festival include Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, Prosperity Home Mortgage, and other local businesses. Peachtree City Realtor and the Hispanic Heritage Festival co-organizer Maricela Laverde said, “The Hispanic Heritage Festival in Peachtree City is a truly wonderful way for our local residents of all ages to come together to experience and embrace the beautiful and rich culture of the Hispanic people in the United States.”
The Hispanic Heritage Festival will be held at 155 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City, on Saturday, October 1, November 12 from 3 pm to 9 pm. Admission to the event is free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from food trucks. Additional parking will be found at the First Presbyterian Church on Willowbend Road. Shuttle buses will transport visitors from nearby hotels. For details about the festival, sponsorship, and vendor spots, contact Maricela Laverde at hispanicheritagefestivalptc@gmail.com.
