By LILLIAN GLAROS
PHOTO CREDIT Lillian Glaros
More than 100 people of all ages gathered at the “Let’s Dance: Vamos a Bailar” event hosted by the City of College Park on Sept. 20.
Featuring dancing, a salsa band, food and more, the event was organized to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, according to Ryna Quiñones, the city’s communications and events manager.
“We have a wonderfully diverse and inclusive community, and we wanted to showcase all the amazing aspects of our community, and our Latino population is absolutely one of them,” Quiñones said.
The celebration was part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed nationwide from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
The grassy area on Duvall Field in front of the Joe Falero Latin Band filled with sitting participants watching dancers groove to the beat as the light faded from the sky and day turned into night. Dancing couples, few at first, gradually graced the grass with spins and twirls.
Pupusas, burritos, ice cream and tacos were for sale at food booths and trucks, such as Taqueria Habaneros’ food truck.
Attendees could also get free snow cones and popcorn.
Children played in the bounce house, or like Caroline, a 7-year-old from Hyattsville, danced to the live music.
Caroline was dancing in the grass with her mother, Kelly Ugwu-Oju, even dancing on her hands. She said her favorite parts of the event were the dancing, the bouncy house and the food. Her mother, who said she taught her daughter how to dance, said she enjoyed the music and dancing.
“I mean I’m here all for the music,” Ugwu-Oju said. “I just want to dance, hoping maybe somebody else will dance with me, but if not, I’m going to make her keep dancing with me.”
A movie, “Vivo,” was shown later in the evening.
Maria Weaver, a resident of Columbia, Maryland, said she came to the event to support College Park, where she used to live.
“College Park is such a multiracial… multicultural community,” Weaver said. “It’s just out here, you just blend, and we like that.”
Weaver also said she enjoyed the music and the family-friendly nature of the event.
Multiple city, county and state politicians also attended the event.
College Park City Councilmember Alan Hew (District 1) said he enjoyed seeing people who aren’t always present at the city’s events.
“It’s a good time for residents to meet each other and enjoy celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month,” Hew said.
Jacob Hernandez, the other District 1 councilmember, said the event is important because of the growing population of Latinos in and around College Park, and the city’s “rich culture.”
“This is just the beginning of what the future is going to look like,” Hernandez said. “I hope to be able to celebrate as many communities as we possibly can … so we can all learn from one another and truly know what it means to live in this rich, diverse, College Park.”
