Pasadena Celebrates Latin Culture with 25th Annual Latino Heritage Parade and Festival

Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade lead banner. Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Aztec Dance Yankuititl at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo greets paradegoers at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Vice-Mayor Felicia Williams at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmember Gene Masuda at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton greets a young paradegoer at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmember Justin Jones greets paradegoers at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmember Justin Jones greets a young paradegoer at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmembers Tyron Hampton and Justin Jones with paradegoers at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

John Muir High School Early Magnet marching band at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

John Muir High School Early Magnet dance squad at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

California State Assemblymember Chris Holden at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Danza Folklórica Mexica at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Latino Heritage Parade Grand Marshal Angelica Salas at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Latino Heritage Parade Community Grand Marshal Yuny Parada at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Unified School District Board President Michelle Richardson Bailey, Pasadena Unified School District Interim Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, Karen Anderson at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena High School dance squad at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena High School marching band at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena High School flag team at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade Co-chair Theresa Deukmedjian at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena LEARNs at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Councilmembers Jess Rivas and Jason Lyon at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade participants at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Charros Unidos at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade participants at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Pasadena Vice-Mayor Felicia Williams, Pasadena Councilmember Justin Jones, Pasadena Councilmember Jason Lyon, Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo at the 25th Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade on Sept. 16, 2023. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

The streets of Pasadena burst into a vibrant celebration of Latino heritage on Saturday as an estimated 2,000 participants and spectators gathered for the city’s 25th annual Latino Heritage Parade and Festival.

Even the sullen skies couldn’t dampen the bright spirits that drew inspiration from this year’s theme, “Reaching for the Stars.” The festivities illuminated the achievements of Latinos in the United States.

The morning parade started at Los Robles Avenue and Buckeye Street, moving southward before concluding in front of City Hall. Attendees then enjoyed an afternoon festival, featuring live performances, educational booths, and authentic Latino cuisines.

Notable parade participants included Angelica Salas, the Grand Marshal and Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), alongside Community Grand Marshal, Yuny Parada, a prominent local Latino rights activist. Both have deep connections with the immigrant experience and have been pillars in Pasadena’s Latino community for years.

“This has been my home. I have a deep love for the city itself,” Salas told Pasadena Now. “And also I’ve seen how our Latino community has grown and has contributed to the city. So it’s wonderful that we have a date that recognizes our Latino contributions to our community.”

Salas’s counterpart, Parada, originally from El Salvador, settled in Pasadena in 1979. She now serves on the board of the Pasadena Chapter of the ACLU and the President’s Latino Advisory Committee of Pasadena City College.

Other parade highlights included performances by John Muir High School’s magnet marching band and dance squad, the striking display from Aztec Dance Yankuititl, and the rhythmic steps of Danza Folkloria Mexica. Numerous city officials, including Mayor Victor Gordo and Vice-Mayor Felicia Williams, were present, waving and interacting with paradegoers.

Sponsored by the City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade and Festival Committee, the annual tradition aims to enrich the community through cultural appreciation.