By Laura Fitzgerald
The Hispanic Alliance of Southeast Michigan invites the community to learn about Hispanic culture at a Mexican Fiesta on August 16 at the Wrigley Center, made possible thanks to part of a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation.
Held from 2 to 11 p.m. in downtown Port Huron at 318 Grand River Ave., the event will feature a menudo cook-off, a grito contest, folkoirico dancers, Mexican Idol, craft vendors, and the bands Los Estrellas Se Oro, Santiago Garza Y La Naturaleza, and Grupo Viento Valdez. Events before the concerts are free and open to the public. Nighttime concerts are ticketed; tickets are available for presale for $20 or $25 at the door.
“The music and dance brings us together. It’s a huge part of our culture,” said Hispanic Alliance President Maggie Toole. “That’s how we celebrate our culture and family. [The event] exposes people to our culture. And for the youth in the area, it exposes diversity.”
The main Grants Committee makes the most impact by using unrestricted endowment funds, such as the Russell A. “Tim” Sheldon Endowment Fund, the Margaret C. Lutz Fund and the John & Rose Marie Wismer Fund, to support a wide range of programs, projects and organizations.
“The Community Foundation has a long history of supporting cultural events. This celebration will be a vibrant expression of culture, tradition and community pride. It offers an opportunity for the Hispanic Alliance to share the richness of Mexican heritage with the greater St. Clair County community,” said Grants Committee Chair Lindsey Adams-Fitchett.
“The festival will foster connection, inclusivity and cultural appreciation. Thanks to the Community Foundations grant, the Hispanic Alliance will be able to create a space where everyone feels welcome to experience and celebrate the diversity that strengthens our region,” she added.
The Hispanic Alliance is a 501c3 nonprofit formed after a listening circle hosted by the Community Foundation. It is dedicated to celebrating Hispanic heritage and unique differences, honoring Hispanic traditions, and educating the community about the Hispanic community’s diverse culture.
“We are very grateful that the Community Foundation gave us that grant to invest in our group so we can pay it forward to the community,” said Hispanic Alliance Vice President Paul Alvarez.
More on the Hispanic Alliance of Southeast Michigan
Last year, the Alliance held a cultural event with St. Clair County Community College for Hispanic Heritage Month. During “Tacos for Tots,” the Alliance did a taco drive to raise money for Toys for Tots. They took a bus trip to Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort for the Cinco De Mayo festival.
In the coming months, the Alliance plans to hold a backpack drive and free haircuts for children returning to school. Alvarez said the Hispanic Alliance aims to give back to the community and to help families in need, especially Hispanic families who might have difficulty speaking English.
“We’re trying to put our footprint in the community,” Alvarez said.
To stay up to date on the Hispanic Alliance’s events, visit their Facebook page.
To donate to any of the Community Foundation’s funds, visit stclairfoundation.org/give/.