Westchester County Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic mom and daughterSept. 16, 2015 -- County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced today a variety of business, civic and social activities taking place throughout Westchester between Sept. 18 and Oct. 15, 2015 in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

"Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to learn about the eclectic mix of Hispanic customs and cultures represented in Westchester,” said Astorino. “From bilingual programs and services to fantastic Latin cuisine and music, there is so much going on that people can benefit from and enjoy.”

Latin Business Today Hispanic Business Summit
The county, in partnership with Latin Business Today, will host its 2nd Annual Hispanic Business Summit, “Crossroads to Customers, Capital and Contracts” on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. at Westchester Community College’s Gateway Center located at 75 Grasslands Road in Valhalla. To R.S.V.P., visit LatinBusinessToday.com and register. Registration is encouraged as seating is limited. For more information about the forum, open the flier or call (914) 995-2900.

Hispanic Heritage events scheduled include:

  • Sept. 18-20 (various show times) – Circus Latino! comes to Westchester as part of a full lineup of activities happening throughout the county this fall. Location: Edge-On-Hudson, 199 Beekman Avenue, Sleepy Hollow (in front of the lighthouse.) For show times and tickets visit Circus Latino!
  • Sept. 20 from noon to 6 p.m. – White Plains Hispanic Day Festival: a celebration of Hispanic Heritage. Location: Eastview Middle School - 350 Main Street, White Plains. For more information, email .
  • Sept. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to host Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. Location: Tarrytown Sheraton, 600 White Plains Road, Tarrytown.
  • Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Immigration Reform: Challenges and Solutions featuring guest speaker Jesus Nebot. Location: Westchester Community College – Davis Auditorium, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla.
  • Sept. 24-27 (various events, dates and locations) - Jazz Fest 2015 presented by ArtsWestchester, the City of White Plains and the White Plains Business Improvement District. For more information about event listings, visit Arts Westchester.
  • Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – The Yonkers Hispanic Community Fair in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Location: Yonkers Riverfront Library - One Larkin Center, Yonkers. For more information, contact or call (914) 948-8466, (914) 513-9548.
  • Oct. 1 from noon to 4 p.m. - Understanding Cuba Film Festival. Location: Westchester Community College, Room C-100, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla.
  • Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. - El Centro Hispano, Inc. will celebrate the graduation of their computer class. For more information, call (914) 289-0500. Location: 346 S. Lexington Avenue, White Plains.
  • Oct. 2 from 7 p.m. to midnight – Westchester Hispanic Law Enforcement Association’s 19th Annual Scholarship Dinner Dance. Location: Surf Club - 280 Davenport Avenue, New Rochelle. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Westchester Hispanic Law Enforcement Association.
  • Oct. 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Break the Ceiling: Latinos in Business. Location: Westchester Community College – Davis Auditorium, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla.
  • Oct. 7 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Westchester County in partnership with Latin Business Today host Hispanic Small Business Summit – “Crossroads to Customers, Capital and Contacts.”  Location: Westchester Community Collage – Gateway Center, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla. Visit LatinBusinessToday.com and register.
  • Oct. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Slam poet Carlos Andres Gomez to perform. Location: Westchester Community College – STC Events Room, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla.
  • Oct. 9 at 7:45 a.m. - Boy Scouts of America Westchester-Putnam Council Latino Leaders Breakfast. Location: Crown Plaza Hotel, 66 Hale Avenue, White Plains.
  • Oct. 13 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. – No Question is Off Limits: Get answers to hard-hitting questions concerning Latino culture, race, language, stereotypes and other controversial topics. Location: Westchester Community College – Tech Lounge, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla.
  • Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Fiesta: a final celebration featuring a live jam band, Latin food, salsa dance lessons and music by WARY. Location: Westchester Community College – STC events room, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla.

Have a Hispanic Heritage or other public event you want to share? Register to post your organization’s events on our county calendar.  

History of Hispanic Heritage Month:

  • Hispanic Heritage begins on Sept. 15 because it marks the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
  • The tradition of celebrating Hispanic heritage began in 1968 but Hispanic Heritage Month was legally enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988 by President Reagan.
  • During Hispanic Heritage month, contributions made by the Hispanic-American community are acknowledged and celebrated. It is also a time to celebrate the unique customs, cultures and histories of the Hispanic-American community.
  • Hispanic-Americans are the largest ethnic minority in the United States.