October is Hispanic Heritage Month
By Ayesha K. Mustafaa
Editor
October is Hispanic Heritage Month, and a festival celebrating this rapidly growing sector of not only American society but also Mississippi’s population is one of the highlights during this month for Jackson.
Yet, some still ask, “What is Latinfest?” Jessica Gordon, Latinfest organizer and Latin American Business Association (LABA-Link) co-founder, at a recent press conference explained, “Latinfest has grown to become the biggest Latino festival in the state of Mississippi.
“With Mississippi’s Hispanic population reaching over 81,000, Latinfest organizers’ aim was to develop an annual event to showcase Latin American professionalism, heritage, and culture by uniting the Latino population with local citizens through diverse cultural exchanges.”
Gordon said this will be accomplished with “themes that bring all people together regardless of their background, ethnicity or nationality. And that is delicious food, music, and dance.”
She said the goal she hopes to achieve by participating in Latinfest is that the local community will receive a “Taste of Latin America” without ever leaving the state of Mississippi.
In its fourth year, Gordon said Latinfest has gained support from major sponsors like Nissan, the American Red Cross, other LABA-Link partners and volunteers.
Pamela Confer, director of Community and Public Relations for Nissan North America – Canton, spoke at the press conference.
“Nissan is proud to participate with Latinfest for the second year, this year joining as the presenting sponsor,” said Confer.
“Nissan believes in leveraging the varying talents and ideas of its employees and embracing the diversity in the communities where we all live.
“The Latino population is a significant part of the fabric of Mississippi, and Latinfest provides us an opportunity to celebrate this culture on a very engaging and artistic platform.”
¡LatinFest! 2015 is Sunday, October 25 at the Farmer’s Market, 929 High St., next to the State Fairgrounds in Jackson. The festival will bring together business owners, professionals, state officials, and visitors from other states and countries.
Organizers say they will present “some of the area’s best artists, dancers, cuisines, and musicians, including local and out of state bands that play jazz, blues, salsa, merengue and bachata.
Other sponsors, along with NISSAN and NABA-Link, are Mississippi Arts Commission, CSpire, Visit Mississippi, Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, Hope Credit Union, Jackson State University and The Radio People.
For more information, visit www.LatinFestMS.com.
