National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in the United States from September 15th to October 15th each year. Starting in 1968 from a law signed by President Lyndon Johnson, it was originally observed for one week. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the month-long observance into law. This commemorative month recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to history, culture, art, and other achievements of the United States.
The starting date was selected to celebrate the five Hispanic countries that declared independence on September 15, 1821: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. It is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink, and celebration.
Here are nine ways you can celebrate this month with your family:
1. Art and Essay contest: (deadline September 13) The Governor Ron DeSantis’ and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest is open to all K-3 students and offers four winners a prize of a $100 gift card for art supplies and a year pass to Florida State Parks. The Governor Ron DeSantis’ and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest is open to all students attending any Florida school in grades 4-12 (public, charter, private, home or virtual). Six winners will be selected: two elementary school student (grades 4–5), two middle school student (grades 6–8) and two high school student (grades 9–12). Each winner will receive a 2–Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies. Click here for more information on how to enter.
2. Family Fun Night: Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off: Lakes Regional Park, Friday, September 20, 2024, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm.
Join the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in celebrating the kick-off of Hispanic Heritage Month with the 2nd annual (FREE) Family Fun Night on Friday, September 20th, from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers. Learn about monarch butterflies' environmental importance and their cultural significance within Latinx communities. Plant cempasúchil (marigold) seeds, join a bilingual birding walk, try kid-friendly archery, explore archeology, and participate in other fun family activities. Click here for more information.
3. Hispanic Heritage Month Loteria at Immokalee Branch Library:
Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the library. Learn to play Spanish Bingo or Loteria as Hispanics call the game. We will have prizes for winners and learn some Spanish at the same time. All ages. Registration is not required. Click here for more information.
4. Discover Florida Hispanic Heritage Facts: Click here for a timeline of Hispanic history, contributions, and influence in Florida.
5. Día de los Muertos at Naples Botanical Garden: November 2, 2024, 10 am – 7 pm & November 3, 2024, 10 am – 4 pm. Join us in the Garden for a joyous, weekend-long Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration. With origins in Mexico, this colorful holiday is a time to share memories of loved ones and celebrate our families and friends. Discover the holiday’s significance and its rich culture through special displays, musical performances, and arts and crafts stations. Fogg Café will be serving a specialty dish, Chicken Flautas, available only at this event. Taco truck and live music. Click for more information.
6. Celebrating Latino Conservation at Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch: September 14, 2024, 10 am - 12 pm. We invite all who love the outdoors to participate in activities, conservation efforts, and becoming a voice for the environment. Latinx Conservation Week highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in conservation to encourage the Latin community to participate proactively. Roberts Ranch will invite many conservation organizations and more to join and introduce the many possibilities that the community could do to be more involved. Drop by to discover and contribute to conservation initiatives! Click for more information.
7. Family Fun Day at Marco Island Historical Museum: Honrando Nuestra Historia: October 12, 10 am - 1 pm. Part of the Honrando Nuestra Historia series, this family-friendly event will talk about the importance of Los Dias de los Muertos and how they differ from Halloween. There will crafts with “calaveras” (skull decorations) and “offrendas” (alters). Bilingual instructions will be available. Learn more.
8. Vamonos de Parche: September 17, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Alliance for the Arts. Food trucks, games, music, kids' activities, and raffles! We are showing our appreciation for the culinary and performing arts while cultivating community connections and supporting small and local businesses of Fort Myers. Come experience cultural foods from your local SWFL Community and join us for what is sure to be a fun, free, and family-friendly event! Learn more.
9. Artis–Naples Free Community Day Celebrating Día De Los Muertos: November 2, 2024, 12 pm - 4 pm.
Artis—Naples welcomes the entire community to the Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus for a day of art, music and fun. This free event includes hands-on activities in The Baker Museum, musical performances, and special activities throughout the day. The Fall 2024 Community Day will feature a Día de los Muertos celebration, including music, activities, and vendors celebrating Mexican culture. The Baker Museum will be open from noon to 4 p.m. and feature both English and Spanish tours of the exhibitions. Click for more information.
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