In partnership with the Mi Museo Committee, the Springfield Museums are proud to announce the inaugural Latino Arts Festival on Saturday, September 30, 2023, 10am-8 pm on the Museums’ campus in downtown Springfield.
Coinciding with National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Festival is a daylong celebration of the myriad arts and rich cultures of the Puerto Rican, Cuban, Afro-Cuban, Portuguese, Mexican, Dominican, and Central and South American populations of Greater Springfield.
Funded in large part by a $100,000 state earmark sponsored by Rep. Carlos González, Sen. Adam Gomez, and the Springfield Legislative delegation, the Festival was organized by the Mi Museo Committee and was also supported by the Association of Latinos at MassMutual and Allies; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; The Republican; Full Power Radio; and El Sol Latino.
“It is a joy to see the Latino Arts Festival come to life at the Springfield Museums,” said Rep. González. “Springfield is rich with diversity, and it is fantastic that together we can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with such a full array of activities and events for families during the day, followed by an evening for adults that will be filled with art, music, salsa dancing, and food.”
“We love bringing families and communities together,” said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums. “We are so grateful to the Mi Museo Committee, chaired by Lydia Martinez-Alvarez, for its many months of hard work planning this exciting day, and to Rep. González, Sen. Gomez and the Springfield Legislative delegation for partnering with us.”
The Latino Arts Festival also marks the opening day of a new photography exhibit, “Latinos en Springfield: Pasado y Presente,” which chronicles the growth of the Latino community in Springfield from the 1940s through today. Located on the second floor of the Wood Museum of Springfield History, the exhibit will be on display through March 3, 2024.
There are two parts to the Latino Arts Festival: a Family Day from 10am-5pm (with activities planned from 11am-3pm), and an adults-only After-Hours Party from 5-8pm.
The Family Day will include performances by a mariachi band and Latino poet Jose Gonzalez; opportunities to make Latin American instruments or individually designed buttons; a paint by number community mural; appearances by the Cat in the Hat; and a Sesame Street Planetarium show in Spanish at 12:15. All activities are free with Museums admission, and Springfield residents always receive free admission.
The After-Hours Party, which is free for all, will feature music from DJ Cowboy and the Choco Band; food trucks; and a cash bar with soft drinks, beer, wine, and rum beverages provided by Palazzo Café. Reservations for the After-Hours Party are encouraged.