Lions Park plays host to annual Hispanic Heritage celebration

Residents and visitors got together on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Lions Park Event Lawn for Costa Mesa’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration – a day of music, dance, food and community activities.

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Photos courtesy of city of Costa Mesa

Attendees enjoying refreshments during the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Lions Park

Mayor John Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez, Councilmembers Mike Buley, Arlis Reynolds and Andrea Marr, City Manager Cecilia Gallardo-Daly and Assistant City Manager Alma Reyes also attended the event.

The celebration opened with a reggaetón-inspired Pilates class led by Jocelyne De Luna, founder and owner of Core Collective OC. Stephens and the council presented a Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation to De Luna and Core Collective OC in recognition of their work promoting wellness, inclusion and community connection.

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Participants joining the outdoor Pilates class that opened the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Performances by INCA, the Peruvian Ensemble, Son Habana and Costa Mesa-based folklórico group Folklor Extraordinario highlighted the afternoon. Attendees also joined a salsa lesson led by professional dancer and choreographer Laroye Ana.

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Visitors taking in the festivities at Costa Mesa’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Lions Park

Chavez later presented certificates of recognition to Folklor Extraordinario, a group of senior women who share Mexican culture and traditional dance with the community.

The event reflected this year’s theme, “Unidos, Somos Más,” or “Together, We Are More.”