Latin Fall Fiesta to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month

The Latin Parade and Fall Fiesta took place at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto this past Sunday, Oct. 9. This was a great opportunity for Hispanics to get together, and enjoy their foods, crafts and music.

This event takes place every year during the month of October and its mission is to bring people together. From Hispanics to people from different cultures to join, learn and celebrate Latin culture.

Picture of folkloric Bolivian dancers on stage Photo credit: Rosana Vinoles

Oscar Vigil, the executive director of the Hispanic Canadian Heritage Council, also known as HCHC, shares why it is so important to create these events in Toronto.

“We are celebrating the Hispanic Heritage Month, which is an opportunity for the community to show their roots, to show they are proud of their culture and their identity. Today we did a parade. First time in the history of the Hispanic community in Canada, that we could march on Yonge street, a main street in Toronto. We marched with our costumes, musicians and dancers, showing the canadian community we are proud of our roots and we provide lots of culture to the city and province.”

Also, this will not be the only event hosted by HCHC. There will be weekly screening events held at Innis Town Hall Theatre every Saturday of this month.

“We are having the Toronto Latin American Festival every saturday. This coming Saturday we will have one movie from Uruguay and two movies from Argentina, then the next weekend we’ll have short films from latin-Canadian producers.”

This past weekend was Thanksgiving weekend, and most people decide to stay at home and enjoy family time, for others, this event was a great opportunity to meet up with friends and enjoy all the activities there were to offer. Said Hadad, an immigrant from Mexico, that came to Canada over four years ago to pursue better opportunities.

“I felt it was like a great opportunity to celebrate my heritage, also I have the long weekend so I felt it was a great time for me to come. I would recommend this event, because it’s a perfect chance to know other people from the Hispanic community.”

Gilbert Suarez, a student from Sheridan College, apart from finishing his finance diploma, pursues his dreams of becoming a well-known Latin singer in Canada.

He was able to perform on stage along with his group mates from 6ix Pal Mundo, here is a closer look at their performance.