Montgomery County will host its first Hispanic Heritage Festival and Health Fair this weekend.
The free festival, which will celebrate the county’s growing diversity and Hispanic heritage, will take place on Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. at Marian Fryer Town Plaza.
The event will feature live musical performances by Luis Garay, Ocho de Bastos, and Pepe Gonzales, as well as the Albert Einstein High School Titanes Salseros and a special Hora Loca finale.
At the festival, kids can take part in Encanto-themed activities at the Barrios Mágicos de Montgomery County, make piñatas and guitars from recycled cardboard, play environmental Lotería, get their faces painted, and take photos in the photo booth.
Additionally, the festival will feature a health fair with free screenings, resource tables, family-friendly activities, and Hispanic food vendors.
County officials encourage festival participants to share their experience at the festival on social media, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, using the hashtag #AmaTuVida24.
The festival was organized by multiple Montgomery County agencies, including the Wheaton Urban District, the Mid-County Regional Service Center, the County’s Department of Health and Human Services’ Latino Health Initiative, the Department of Recreation, the Department of Transportation, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Police Department, Alcohol and Beverage Services, the Community Engagement Cluster, the Office of Public Information, the Department of Environmental Protection, County Public Libraries, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Office of Community Partnerships, and the Department of General Services.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich contributions and vibrant cultures that have helped shape Montgomery County into the diverse and inclusive community we are today,” County Executive Elrich said in a press release. “This festival is an opportunity to honor those traditions while also offering important health services to our residents. I’m excited to see our community come together for a day of celebration, learning and support. I hope everyone takes advantage of the chance to connect with local resources and each other. I encourage all residents to attend.”
Marian Fryer Town Plaza is located at 2424 Reedie Drive in Wheaton. More festival information, including parking and free shuttle service from Burtonsville, Germantown, Rockville, and Silver Spring, is available on the county’s Latino Health Initiative website.
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