MoCo's Hispanic Heritage Festival And Health Fair Set For Oct. 6

WHEATON, MD — Montgomery County’s first Hispanic Heritage Festival and Health Fair will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Marian Fryer Plaza in Wheaton. The free festival will celebrate Montgomery County’s growing diversity, honor Hispanic heritage and promote a greater understanding of diverse traditions, according to a county news relase.

Marian Fryer Plaza is located at 2424 Reedie Drive in Wheaton.

The festival will have live musical performances from Luis Garay, Ocho de Bastos and Pepe Gonzales, the Albert Einstein High School Salseros and special Hora Loca finale.

A health fair will be running throughout the festival. Participants can receive free health screenings, visit resource tables, pick up resources and enjoy family-friendly activities. Food will be available for purchase throughout the event and Hispanic food vendors will be on site.

Street parking is available around the venue and a free shuttle service will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

• Germantown Transit Center, 19843 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown.
• Long Branch Community Recreation Center. 8700 Pinery Branch Road, Silver Spring.
• Wheaton High School. 12401 Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring.
• Paint Branch High School. 141211 Old Columba Pike, Burtonsville.
• Richard Montgomery High School. 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville.

"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,” said County Executive Marc Elrich in a news release. “This festival is an opportunity to honor those traditions while also offering important health services to our residents. I hope everyone takes advantage of the chance to connect with local resources and each other.”

For a schedule of events at the festival, visit the Latino Health Initiative website.

Kid activities at the festival will include Barrios Mágicos de Montgomery County (Magical Neighborhoods of Montgomery County). The theme is “Encanto” (“enchanted”). While supplies last, children can make piñatas and guitars from recycled cardboard and participate in a game of environmental Loteria (lottery). Attendees can also get their faces painted or take a photo in the photo booth.

Festival organizers include 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.

Montgomery County is encouraging participants to share their experience at the festival on social media via Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter) and Instagram using the hashtag #AmaTuVida24.