The City of Lebanon will host the Lebanon Hispanic Multicultural Festival this Saturday, Oct. 7, from 2 to 7 p.m. as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The festival will take place on 8th Street between Cumberland and Chestnut streets.
National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, began as a week-long event in 1968 and expanded to a month in 1988. The month honors the independence days of several Latin American countries and reflects on the diverse histories and backgrounds of Latino communities.
Read More: Tomateros to Dutchiricans: Local professors tell a Latinx history of Central Pennsylvania
Attendees of the Lebanon festival can expect lively music, including a mariachi band performance from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and a salsa big band from 5 to 6 p.m. Local restaurants including La Placita, Mamajuana, and the newly opened Javi Restaurant will be among those offering tantalizing dishes to festival-goers.
The event organizer, Juntos de Lebanon, emphasized the festival’s significance to the local community.
“It’s important that people come to events in Lebanon for the beautiful architecture, buildings, and to enjoy our downtown,” said Guadalupe Barba, founder of Juntos de Lebanon and co-owner of La Placita. “Embrace diversity, embrace the music, embrace dancing, embrace the food! Our place, our city, our home – Lebanon is our home.”
Though the festival highlights Hispanic culture, Barba is clear that the celebration is for everyone. “The event is not just for Hispanics. It’s a celebration for the whole city. We are happy for people to come and listen to music and dance,” she said.
Local radio stations, Candela Radio and Radio Stop, will broadcast the evening’s performances from 5 to 7 p.m.. The festival is sponsored by local businesses and community leaders, including Lebanon Travel, Sherwin Williams, the City of Lebanon, D.J. Low, and La Placita.
Barba summed up the essence of the event, saying, “The combination of the food, people, and music – it’s a party.”
For more information on the festival, check out the event page on Facebook.
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