Westbury celebrated its rich diversity this past Sunday during its annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. The event was hosted by the Latino Advisory Council, Village of Westbury and Greater Westbury Council for the Arts and was an afternoon filled with activities for the whole family, as well as music, crafts and giveaways.
(Photos by Ray Muntz)
Pedro Quintanilla, a member of the Latino Advisory Council, said the event, now in its fourth year, helps to showcase people’s cultures and diversity.
“It seeks to celebrate the rich Hispanic culture and let the community know the village government is for them,” Quintanilla said.
The family-friendly event hosted a variety of activities for children, including face-painting, arts and crafts, balloon animals, and sidewalk chalk for them to unleash their artistic talents in the piazza. Several businesses donated food to the event and visitors snacked on free empanadas and mini tacos, as well as popcorn, as they enjoyed a performance from a flamenco dancer and salsa lesson from Rhythmology.
“There’s so many cultures here and a lot of times people just stick to their own culture,” said Miriam Hernandez, a local business owner and member of the Latino Advisory Council. “So it’s nice to teach people what other people from other cultures eat, listen to and how they live.”
