Hempstead, NY - November 2, 2015 - Village of Hempstead Mayor Wayne J. Hall Sr. and the Village of Hempstead Board of Trustees and more than 150 residents of the Hempstead community recently celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. Village of Hempstead residents gathered in Kennedy Park to recognize local leaders in the Hispanic community and enjoyed a cultural cookout of authentic dishes including pupusa from El Salvador, empanadas from Columbia, tamales from Guatemala and tacos from Honduras. Attendees also enjoyed Hispanic salsa dancing and authentic mariachi music. 

“The Village of Hempstead is privileged to be one of the most diverse villages on Long Island,” said Village of Hempstead Mayor Wayne J. Hall Sr. “By celebrating and respecting our rich cultural mosaic we grow both as a community and as a nation.”

National Hispanic Heritage Month helps promote the cultural and intellectual contributions of Hispanic Americans. According to a recent Pew Research study, the Hispanic population is growing faster than any other major ethnic group in the United States and is expected to become the majority by 2043. As of 2010, more than 44.2% of the Village of Hempstead’s 55,000 residents are of Hispanic descent, making celebrating Hispanic cultural contributions a vital community building event.

“Celebrating our Hispanic brothers and sisters fosters understanding and tolerance sometimes lacking in public dialogue and helps people from all backgrounds build on the strength of diversity which makes America great,” said Deputy Mayor Luis Figueroa. “The cultural celebration in the Village of Hempstead is a way to involve Hempstead residents in nurturing that strength and building community leaders.”

For more information about the Village of Hempstead Hispanic Heritage Celebration visit the Incorporated Village of Hempstead’s website or call 516-489-3400.

Pictured: (from left to right) Traditional dancers from the Village of Hempstead, Hempstead School District School Board Member and Honoree Maribel Touré, Village of Hempstead Deputy Mayor Luis Figueroa, Hempstead Resident Olga Hernandez, Honoree Hon. Miguel Alvarado, and Honoree Pastor David Anglada received awards for their service to the Hispanic community in the Village of Hempstead. They were participating in a celebration to honor the cultural and intellectual contributions of Hempstead’s Hispanic community and help Village residents build on the strength which stems from diversity.

Pictured in the Gallery: Village of Hempstead Deputy Mayor Luis Figueroa sings the National Anthem with a young Hempstead resident during the recent Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural Celebration. The celebration was held to honor the cultural and intellectual contributions of Hempstead’s Hispanic community and help Village residents build on the strength which stems from diversity.