LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Festival Latino de Lexington is underway as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Organizers say more than 20 Latin American countries are represented in Lexington.
Ramon Maldonado Jr., who is half Argentinian, attended the festival with his children.
“All these countries coming together to celebrate one culture,” Maldonado said.
Maldonado said the festival is an opportunity to teach his children about their heritage. He said because he lives in Winchester, this is one of his only opportunities to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
“To be able to come to downtown Lexington and be able to celebrate that heritage, that culture, not only does it mean a lot to me but it means a lot to my sons,” Maldonado said.
Cardinal Valley Elementary students open festival
Students from Cardinal Valley Elementary School were the opening act at the festival.
“Be so proud of where they come from and show the world a little bit about themselves,” said Martha Valencia, a language immersion teacher at Cardinal Valley Elementary.
Teachers said the festival gives students a chance to be loud and proud about their full heritage.
“Most of them were born in the US but they carry like two pieces of identities that makes something incredibly beautiful as Americans,” said Heather Goold, an English language teacher at Cardinal Valley Elementary.
Organizers said the festival is for everyone, not just those with Hispanic heritage, because food is a language everyone shares.
“Mi corazon, my heart loves this event. If you didn’t have this event, we don’t get to celebrate it,” Maldonado said.
Festival continues through the weekend
The festival continues Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Foundation for Latin American and Latino Culture and Arts is hosting a health fair at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary School on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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