LANSING, Ill. (September 26, 2023) – The Lansing Public Library kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a celebration to recognize the beauty of Hispanic culture. The Hispanic Heritage Fiesta took place in the parking lot of the library on Friday, September 22 from 6 – 8 p.m. The event was free and open to the public.
This is the second year the library has hosted this event, organizers said. Last year’s event featured live music and characters from the 2021 Disney film Encanto.
“This event is all about having a really good time,” said Andrew Harootunian, Adult Outreach Coordinator at the Lansing Public Library.
The two-hour celebration featured crafts, games, food, face painting, and music. Attendees sat at tables enjoying food, snacks, and beverages from El Encanto’s food truck, while listening to Latino music.
Some children played games such as jumbo Connect 4, while others played hopscotch. Several book displays were set up at the event selling discounted books.
The library hosted a raffle to give attendees a chance to win four tickets to Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure — a touring bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families that uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of 12-year-old Vita Flores.
Toward the end of the event, kids lined up to take a swing at a piñata.
National Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated from September 15 — October 15.
Community outreach
The event is a part of the library’s outreach initiative to bring the community together.
“We wanted to get everyone in the community together to indulge in the Latino culture, have some really good food and enjoy the music,” said Harootunian. “We need to come together to understand one another.”
People of all backgrounds attended the event to celebrate Hispanic culture and traditions.
Sharnea Harper, a Lansing resident, attended the event for the first time with her sister-in-law and children.
“[The event] is really nice and diverse,” she said. “I am really enjoying it.”
Veronica Diaz, a native of Mexico who has been living in Lansing for a few years, attended the event to celebrate her heritage.
“[The event] is good and fun for [my] kids,” she said.
Various organizations such as Friends of Lansing Public Library and the Lansing Human Relations Commission were present at the event.
The Lansing Public Library is located at 2750 Indiana Avenue.
