How to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Cincinnati

We have a growing Hispanic population in Cincinnati, with the demographic increasing by 22.4 percent since 2000. Held September 15 through October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the Hispanic men and women who live in our country. September 15 is a significant date each year, as many Latin American countries commemorate their independence on this date (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua). Independence for Mexico (September 16th) and Chile (September 18th) followed over the next few days.

Here are several Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations happening in Cincinnati that our Springs at West Chester and Springs at Liberty Township residents need to be aware of:

1. Attend a Spanish Play Date
Friday, October 6 at 11:15 a.m.
Play Library
1517 Elm St
513.407.7045

Do you have young children (18 months to 5 years of age) that you want to immerse in the Spanish language? In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, you can take your children to a play date at the Play Library in Cincinnati to engage them in the Spanish language. Tickets are $12 and include one adult and one child. Additional children are $6 each. While the class is 45 minutes in length, admission gives you unlimited play at the Play Library after class, so plan to stick around.

2. Enjoy Fall Fiesta
Saturday, October 14 at 6 p.m.
Great American Ball Park
100 Joe Nuxhall Way

The Fall Fiesta is put on by the Cooperative for Education and benefits school children in Guatemala. The event includes dinner, drinks, raffles and auctions to help this wonderful cause, and a special guest will share her experiences as a CoEd scholarship recipient and graduate.

3. Attend Festival Hispano
Sunday, October 1 at 2 p.m.
Kennedy Heights Arts Center
6546 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH
513-631-4278

This free, family-friendly festival celebrates Hispanic culture through food, dance, music, songs and poetry. The event is in conjunction with the Voices from Oaxaca exhibit, which is a series of prints currently on exhibit at the arts center that provide reflections on Hispanic culture.

4. Participate in 2017 Hispanic Volunteer Day
Friday, October 14 at 8:30 a.m.
Price Hill Neighborhood (Exact Location Still TBD)
513-979-6999

Get your entire family involved in honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month by volunteering to help kids feel more prepared for school, help families become more self-sufficient, and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Volunteer projects are available for participants ages 5 and up. Some of the projects include putting together multilingual literacy kits, cleaning up local neighborhoods and more.

As you can see, there are many ways to learn more about the culture and get involved with the Hispanic community in Cincinnati during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Are you aware of a local way to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month that’s not included in this list? If so, please share your suggestion in our comments section below.