SALT LAKE CITY — Gene Hayes had zero interest in participating in any type of Latino heritage celebration for about a decade. Not only did the celebrations appear inauthentic, but they also didn’t seem to represent his identity. It wasn’t until this Hispanic Heritage Month, during a showcase of Hispanic music at the Utah Symphony, that Hayes had a change of heart. The ‘Celebración Sinfonica’ and other cultural events helped change his perspective on the month.
Hispanic Heritage Month has nationally been both lauded as a celebration of Hispanic culture and contributions and condemned as an inauthentic pandering from corporations and politicians. It seems that a range of opinions is present in Utah as well, which shouldn’t be surprising to anyone paying attention to the diversity within Latino and Hispanic communities.
Hispanic Heritage Month began on Sept. 15 and ends on Saturday. The mid-month start date ties into many Latin American counties’ independence celebrations, and the month itself has been observed at a national level since 1988. Gov. Spencer Cox and some cities in the state have signed proclamations recognizing the month, which has been marked with celebrations across the state.
St. George will see one such celebration with food, music and rides at Vernon Warthen park on Saturday as St. George News’ Canyon Media partner Juan 106 FM bring the annual and free Festival de Juan from 4 to 10 p.m.
St. George News reporter Chris Reed contributed to this story.
Read the full story here: KSL News.
Written by SYNDEE GONZALEZ, KSL.com.
Copyright KSL.com.