Latino Heritage Parade, Jamaica Fair Will Hit the Streets of Northwest Pasadena on October 15

Join the free family fun at the 18th annual Latino Heritage Parade and Jamaica (Community Fair) on Saturday, October 15, 2016. The event is sponsored by the City’s Human Services and Recreation Department and the Latino Heritage Committee. Go to www.cityofpasadena.net/LatinoHeritage for updates.

More than 1,000 participants and spectators are expected at this year’s event that begins with the parade at 11 a.m. and the festive Jamaica with cultural activities, food, music, and dance from Noon to 4 p.m.

The parade starts at Los Robles Avenue and Howard Street, turns west on Washington Boulevard and ends at La Pintoresca Park, 1415 N. Raymond Ave., where art exhibits, artisans, educational/historical displays, live entertainment, tasty food, community info booths and much more can be found.

This year’s theme is Nuestros Heroes/Our Heroes celebrating the accomplishments of individuals from all professions within the Latino Community.

Leading the festivities, this year’s Grand Marshal is Luis J. Rodriguez, Poet Laureate, and Community Grand Marshal Serafin Espinoza, retired Director of Villa-Parke Community Center.

For over 40 years, Luis J. Rodriguez has been a leader for social justice, the environment, economic equity and peace. He has been a journalist for newspapers and public radio; worked for labor unions; has been the U.S. Justice Party’s nominee for both U.S. Vice President and California’s governor and is a published author and poet with 15 books in poetry, children’s literature, fiction and nonfiction, including the bestselling memoir “Always Running, La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.” His most recent poetry book is “Borrowed Bones” released in 2016 by Curbstone Books/Northwestern University Press.

Mr. Espinoza is a retired civil service professional with more than 40 years of social work experience, including his time directing Pasadena’s Villa-Parke Community Center. One of his major accomplishments was to assist the City of Pasadena with its policy on children, youth and families.

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