25th Annual Latino Heritage Parade and Festival Kick Off Latino Heritage Month in Pasadena This Weekend

National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off nationally on Friday honoring the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans.

In Pasadena it’s called “Latino Heritage Month,” and it starts off in a big way on Saturday, Sept. 16 with the 25th Annual Latino Heritage Parade and Festival, with the theme “Reaching for the Stars” to honor the achievements of Latinos throughout the United States. 

The parade starts at the intersection of N. Los Robles Ave. and Buckeye St. and ends at City Hall — a brand new route this year.

Following the parade, there will be a festival at City Hall featuring cultural celebrations like Dia de los Muertos, family-friendly activities such as Spanish storytime and Loteria games, and engaging workshops like chocolate skull making and papel picado art.

Robert Monzon, co-chair of the Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade and Festival Committee, said this year’s Latino Heritage Parade features a new route and some unique additions. 

The parade will have multiple Mariachis, one of which will be an all-female group playing during the festival in front of City Hall. Another Mariachi group will be in the parade and will bring their own floats, making it a neat addition to the parade this year.

“I think the biggest difference this year is that we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary,” Monzon said. “So we’ve actually been able to endure the last 25 years and put the event on, and people have always enjoyed it, and we’ve had pretty good turnouts every year. So we are now able to celebrate 25 years of hosting the parade, which I think is a great accomplishment for the community.”

This year’s Grand Marshal for the parade is Angelica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA). Salas is a prominent figure in ethnic and mainstream press and is often quoted on all issues related to immigrant well-being. Under her leadership, CHIRLA and its national partners have built the foundation for the upsurge in immigrant rights activism.

Salas is also a leader in national coalitions of organizations that have successfully mobilized millions of immigrants to demand just and humane immigration reform with a path to citizenship, family reunification, and protection of civil and labor rights. 

“I think it’s a really nice tribute for us to recognize her and her work at CHIRLA, which is a local LA County based organization,” Monzon said. “She’s an amazing person and I’m really happy that we’re recognizing her. And although we’ve recognized other national folks in the past that have been active nationally, I think this one is very close to home for our community.” 

Yuny Parada, who has called Pasadena home since 1979 after immigrating from El Salvador, is the Community Grand Marshal. Parada has worked tirelessly for the empowerment of Latinos while using education as the backbone for her cause. She was a member of the Human Relations Commission in Pasadena for many years and has also served on the board for the League of Women Voters of Pasadena.

Latino Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with Latino heritage from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Past celebrations in Pasadena have provided opportunities for the community to come together, learn about Latino culture, enjoy entertainment, and engage in activities that promote understanding and appreciation of Latino heritage.

Saturday’s parade and festival begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of N. Los Robles Ave. and Buckeye Street. The parade ends at City Hall where the festival begins at about noon and lasts until 4 p.m. 

The celebration throughout Latino Heritage Month also features opportunities for teens and adults to participate in a Spanish conversation group and book club discussions. A film series featuring documentaries and films related to Latino culture is available through the Pasadena Public Library.

Other events include Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, where friends and neighbors join dance performances, arts and crafts, and “ofrendas,” or altars honoring the deceased, at Villa Parke Community Center on Friday, Oct. 27.

For more information about Latino Heritage Month, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/city-manager/news/pasadena-celebrates-latino-heritage-month-reaching-for-the-stars.