Orange County prepares to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

The Hispanic Heritage Committee of Greater Orange County (HHCGOC) invites the public to be a part of the annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins September 15^th through October 15^th, 2014. This month-long observance of Hispanic traditions and influence in the United States was enacted into law in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan.

HHCGOC kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 with a reception featuring musical performances and exhibition highlighting the works of local artists. This outdoor reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the shaded north lawn of the Orange County Administration Center located at 201 South Rosalind Avenue in downtown Orlando.

The celebration will continue with HHCGOC’s signature event, Orange Fiesta in the Park, on Saturday, September 27, 2014 starting at 11 a.m. This family-friendly event will be held at Downey Park, located at the intersection of East Colonial Drive and Dean Road, where guests will enjoy food from a variety of food truck vendors; sing and dance to live music performed by local talent, and have access to resources made available by multiple organizations serving the community. Children will be able to play in inflatable games and cool off in Downey Park’s splash pad.

This year, Orange Fiesta in the Park will feature a special recognition for local veterans of the U.S. Army 65^th Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs will lead the celebration commemorating these veterans as the newest recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Festivities at Orange Fiesta in the Park will also include an awards ceremony for winners of HHCGOC’s student art contest, as well as an Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull look-alike contest, with the opportunity to win concert tickets for their October performance at the Amway Center. Information on the student art contest can be obtained by calling Carmen Acevedo at 321-945-0611. Details on the look-alike contest will be available on September 1, 2014 at www.ocfl.net.

Beginning on Monday, September 15, 2014 and throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the Orange County Administration Center will host the unique artwork of local painters and artisans highlighting the influence of Hispanic culture in Central Florida. The works will be featured in the Administration Center’s atrium, which is open to the public free of charge Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Hispanic Heritage Committee of Greater Orange County is a volunteer-based organization founded in 2000 with the purpose of providing opportunities that promote and highlight the contributions made by individuals of Hispanic descent in the community. HHCGOC proudly hosts these events in collaboration with Orange County Government and Orange County Parks and Recreation. All activities are admission-free and open to the public.

Event Details

Hispanic Heritage Art Exposition

Date:               Monday, September 15, 2014 – Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Time:              8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location:        Orange County Administration Center

Address:        201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando 32801

Admission:    Free of charge

Featuring:      Artwork highlighting Hispanic culture in Central Florida

Orange County Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Date:               Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Time:              5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location:        Orange County Administration Center

Address:        201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando 32801

Admission:    Free of charge

Featuring:      Musical performance, dance, and food

Orange Fiesta in the Park

Date:               Saturday, September 27, 2014

Time:              11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Location:        Downey Park

Address:        10107 Flowers Ave., Orlando 32825

(Intersection of E. Colonial Dr. and Dean Rd.)

Admission:    Free of charge

Featuring:      Special recognition ceremony for the 65^th Infantry Regiment

Borinqueneers, Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull look-alike contest, live

music, food, information booths and children’s games