What to expect at Downtown Summerlin’s inaugural Latin Heritage Parade
A colorful display of Latin American history, heritage, and culture will be at the forefront of the Latin Heritage Parade at Downtown Summerlin.
Latin Americans played a pivotal role in the development of the Silver State, progressing from Old West cowboy migrants to the multicultural middle class of today.
The state is now home to nearly 600,000 Latinx residents, representing a diverse range of Latin American countries and cultures. Together, these communities form a vibrant tapestry of Latin heritage in Nevada.
The greater Las Vegas community has an opportunity to celebrate the history and culture of the local Latinx community during Downtown Summerlin’s inaugural Latin Heritage Parade. Presented by Fletcher Jones Nevada, it will take place along the mall’s Park Center Drive at 6 p.m., Sept 16.
“We are elated that Downtown Summerlin selected our organization to pay homage to our various traditions and history of Latin American communities,” said Karla Garcia-Cardenas, founder and CEO of the Nevada Latino Arts and Culture Association. “This is a significant addition to the parade line-up at the property and one we know our community will embrace.”
While most details are still under wraps, here’s a look at what we know so far about the upcoming Latin Heritage Parade.
This is Downtown Summerlin’s first Latin Heritage Parade
Downtown Summerlin is no stranger to parades. The nearly 400-acre streetscape shopping mall decks the halls for a holiday parade at Christmastime, puts on a patriotic parade for Fourth of July, and even hosted a parade in August celebrating the Summerlin South Little League Team’s success in the Little League World Series.
As for a parade celebrating Latin heritage, this will be Downtown Summerlin’s first.
“Adding the Latin Heritage Parade to our parade line-up at Downtown Summerlin is something we’ve been working on for some time,” said Halee Harczynski, senior marketing director, Downtown Summerlin. “Collaborating with local cultural organizations to showcase and celebrate our community is inspiring and provides a fun way for families to come together to learn about and honor the many Latinx cultures in our community.”
The parade celebrates several Latin American countries
Nevada is proud of its Latin roots, with residents hailing from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Santo Domingo, Venezuela, Paraguay, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
The Latin Heritage Parade will celebrate the traditions, history, and contributions of the Latinx communities from many of these Latin American countries.
It also celebrates local Latin heritage
Performers, artists, and groups participating in the Latin Heritage Parade all come from the vibrant local Latinx community. According to the 2022 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, that’s 30.3% of Nevada’s population; 30% in Las Vegas alone. More specifically, Nevada residents are 22% Mexican, 1.5% Cuban, 1.5% Salvadoran, 1% Puerto Rican (1%), and 4.3% of other Hispanic or Latino origin.
“Every single participant is a Las Vegas local,” said Garcia-Cardenas. “From student groups to long-standing community organizations, this event is a reflection of the local Latin community.”
Dedicated to preserving cultural understanding and appreciation of Latin America, the Nevada Latino Arts and Culture Association provides support for cultural events and educational programs in the Silver State.
The parade will showcase a fusion of music and dance
While a list of parade participants has not been released yet, attendees can expect to see traditional dances from Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and El Salvador, as well as walking groups representing Guatemala, Chile, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Attendees will also see local escaramuza and charro groups, some of whom will showcase their traditional cultural attire.
This event is free and open to the public
Latin Heritage Parade festivities are free and will begin along Park Center Drive at 5:30 p.m. with the parade debuting at 6 p.m.
For additional information, visit Summerlin.com.
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