Fitchburg’s Festival Latino a success

FITCHBURG — Festival Latino embodies community spirit and embraces different cultures, and the latest iteration of it once again did just that.

The annual event held in the city on Sept. 18 at Riverfront Park featured activities, dancing, food, a car show, local vendors and awards. It always coincides with National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 14, and Latino city employees help plan the vibrant extravaganza that is a collaborative initiative between the city, its recreation department, Fitchburg Public Schools, NewVue Communities and the Fitchburg Civic Days Committee.

Luisa Fernandez, FPS director of enrollment and family engagement and committee member, has been involved with the family-friendly festival since it was first launched in 2023. The city resident wants to thank everyone who came out this year’s Festival Latino, which drew hundreds of attendees of all ages.

“Thank you for showing up! Thank you, neighbors, for making our Latino festival the best one so far,” she said.

Fernandez went on to say they “received the support of so many people, including our amazing police department and fire department,” and relayed that she is “so proud of all the effort the Civic Days Committee” put into the festival.

“The community participation was amazing,” she shared. “It was so beautiful to see all the local families dancing, experiencing our gastronomy and having fun.”

Fitchburg High School junior Diego Barahona, whose indigenous name is Guatu’niki, kicked off the affair with a blessing of the land followed by a welcome and opening remarks by Mayor Sam Squailia. Sponsors including Fitchburg State University, the Fitchburg Art Museum and Rockland Trust were thanked and performances by FHS group Las Faldas Rojas, Julieta Xantos, Ecos de Barrio, and Rumba YA! dazzled the crowds.

“I would especially love to highlight the beautiful performance by Las Faldas Rojas with the support of our own and unique Mrs. Rivera,” Fernandez said of the talented group of high schoolers and FHS educator and Latin American Club advisor Aury Rivera.

The car show was a big hit and Ricardo Ariel Araujo and Fitchburg Police Department officer Jose Figueroa both received Premio La Excelencia Latino awards for their dedication to their community.

In closing, Fernandez summed up how the festival made her feel during these trying and divisive times as a country.

“This year was especially meaningful to me because, despite the fear and challenges many of our Latino families are facing, our community came together to celebrate our culture, traditions and folklore.”