LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Dancers and performers took part Wednesday in Downtown Summerlin’s Latin Heritage Parade, part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. Communities across the country are celebrating the cultures, music and traditions of Latin America during the month.
More than 100 participants took part in the parade, now in its second year.
Cindy Villamil, a dancer from Bogotá, Colombia, was among those rehearsing before the event.
“I’m really proud of my country and my culture, so I want to share it with all the people that I know,” Villamil said.
Villamil said the parade offers more than a chance to perform folklorico dance.
“The parade is the opportunity for all the community to know about my culture and the culture of Colombia,” Villamil said.
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Countries across Latin America represented
Karla Garcia Cardenas, CEO of the Nevada Latino Arts and Culture Association, said flags, musicians and cultural groups in the parade represent countries across Latin America.
“So, in this parade, what’s amazing is that every single Latin American country is being celebrated. Whether it’s through dance, through music, one way or another, through flags, everyone is equally represented here,” Garcia Cardenas said.
Performer Lupita Martinez, born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, said representing Mexico in the parade is personal.
“It makes me feel very, like, proud because of my culture and that gets represented and just shows people how beautiful our culture is,” Martinez said.
Villamil said the event gives performers a chance to share their cultures with the community.
“Yeah, I think this is a great opportunity for us as dancers, as a Colombian, and as a Latino community to be part of this event because, you know, it’s important to all of you to know about the other countries, the other cultures, and to share that with the community,” Villamil said.
Second year for parade
The parade debuted last year. Organizers said many of the groups that participated last year are returning, along with new groups joining this year. The parade started at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Downtown Summerlin.
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