Village to celebrate Hispanic heritage with festival Sept. 28

There will be music, dancers and other entertainment at the Mount Kisco Hispanic Heritage Festival on Sept. 28.

By MARTIN WILBUR

Mount Kisco will celebrate its large Latin population next weekend as the village will hold the second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival Sunday, Sept. 28, at Fountain Park.

Coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month, which kicked off last Monday and extends until Oct. 15, visitors can look forward to an afternoon of mouthwatering food, entertainment celebrating cultures from many of the Spanish-speaking countries, guest speakers, activities along with local organizations.

Trustee Angie Garcia-Guerra, part of a small committee that is taking the lead in organizing the event, said involving everyone in the community is a key to making the festival a memorable time.

“It’s meant to be a fully collaborative community event,” Garcia-Guerra said. “That was my goal last year, that is my goal this year, to make it a really collaborative community event. Come out, have a good time, have fun, enjoy the music, enjoy the food, enjoy the neighbors.”

All the businesses selling food and merchandise are Hispanic owned or at least partially Hispanic owned, she said. The food vendors will be selling different types of Latin cuisine, including a few from Mount Kisco — Monarca, Maya Restaurant and Lorena’s Juice Bar.

But other proprietors have come from across Westchester. Matanzas of Hartsdale will be offering Cuban dishes, from Port Chester there will be Steph’s Sweet Creations and Simple Motive Brewing, a Yonkers-based brewery.

Then there will be two food trucks for visitors to sample. Latusion will bring Peruvian fare to the festival, and Crazy Taco-Mex, a big hit at the food truck festival in the spring, is returning to the village, Garcia-Guerra said.

New this year will be two guest speakers who will share details about their lives and experiences along with music. There will also be a Zumba session led by village secretary, Lizette Davis, and Salsa dance lessons.

A roster of longtime organizations with connections to the village will be in attendance. Northern Westchester Hospital, the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester, Neighbors Link, The Pantry and ShopRite will all be participating.

Garcia-Guerra acknowledged that confirming some of the participants was a challenge this year, particularly the food vendors. She traced it to the challenges of the restaurant business, which includes rising costs, tough economic conditions and limited help. 

While some communities in the region have canceled their Hispanic heritage or themed festivals this year because of the difficult political climate, Garcia-Guerra said she was steadfast in making sure the show went on this year.

“I think everybody, with the climate we have right now, I think it’s important to see a light in the darkness,” she said. “I didn’t feel at any point we needed to cancel it. I just felt those who can’t come for whatever their reasons are or if they don’t feel comfortable to come, then those who can, will show up and represent for them. And I think that’s important, that we can shine the light. Those that can’t, we’ll see you next time.”

This year, the festival was shifted to Sunday after feedback from the businesses and some residents. Garcia-Guerra said Saturday is an important day for those in the restaurant industry, and many Hispanic community members said they worked, giving the organizers a reason to try Sunday.

Mount Kisco’s Hispanic Heritage Festival is Sunday, Sept. 28, from noon to 6 p.m., at Fountain Park and the parking area behind Village Hall. In the event of rain, the festival will be moved to the following Sunday, Oct. 5.

For more information, check out Mount Kisco’s Facebook page, which will post updates throughout the upcoming week, and the village website at mountkiscony.gov.