Although it has celebrated the diversity within the community in the past, this is the first year that the city of Norcross will host a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
Prior to the pandemic, the city held an event called the Gateway International Festival during Welcoming Week (which annually takes place during Hispanic Heritage Month). The event was so well-received, it was named a Top 20 Event in 2019 by Southeast Tourism Society, according to Norcross city officials.
As events started to come back post-COVID, the city decided to freshen things up and include more intentional events geared toward diversity. Last year, the city introduced the Dia de los Muertos Festival and has continued with Latin-inspired celebrations by adding Viva Mexico to its events lineup in May.
On Sept. 17, the Hispanic Heritage Festival will take place at Summerour Middle School. It will be one of the first — with more anticipated in the future — city events held on the other side of Buford Highway. Over recent years, it has come to the city’s attention that there is a feeling of a divide in the community — that there are two sides to Norcross that are separated by Buford Highway, with one side underserved with little convenient public access to green spaces, events, art and development.
It has been a strategic goal of the city for many years to bridge this divide, and many projects have been in the works to fulfill this goal. Going forward, city officials said they will continue focusing efforts to build community inclusiveness.
Some background info
Hispanic Heritage Month seems like a little bit of a misnomer because it actually spans two months. Beginning Sept. 15, it runs through Oct. 15 because that day coincides with the national independence day of several Latin countries — Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Similarly, Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16, Chile on Sept. 18 and Belize on Sept. 21.
The term Hispanic refers to people whose ancestry is from Spain. Many Latin American, Central American, South American and Caribbean countries were colonized by Spanish explorers and many of the inhabitants of those countries have Spanish ancestry.
However, Brazil is one country that was settled by the Portuguese, so technically, its inhabitants aren’t Hispanic. That’s why many would like to see the name changed to Latin Heritage Month or something similar.
History of celebration
Like other months dedicated to the heritage of ethnicities that comprise this country, Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to gain success. Most notably, the United States appointed its first Supreme Court associate justice of Latin descent, Sonia Sotomayor, in 2009.
The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. The theme for 2022 is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.”
Many note that an explorer working for the King and Queen of Spain, Christopher Columbus, introduced the Americas to Europeans. Columbus Day, or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within the 30-day period.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
September 17, 2-6 p.m.
Summerour Middle School Parking Lot
Please refer to the Hispanic Heritage calendar to find more events throughout the area.
