Skip to main content

Press Releases

  1. News
  2. Press Releases
  3. Release

Montgomery County Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Hispanic Heritage Festival and Health Fair on Sunday, Oct. 6, in Wheaton

For Immediate Release: Monday, September 30, 2024

Montgomery County officials will join the County’s first Hispanic Heritage Festival and Health Fair from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Marian Fryer Plaza in Wheaton. The free festival will celebrate Montgomery County’s growing diversity, honor Hispanic heritage and promote a greater understanding of diverse traditions. 

Marian Fryer Plaza is located at 2424 Reedie Drive in Wheaton.  

The festival will have live musical performances from Luis Garay, Ocho de Bastos and Pepe Gonzales, the Albert Einstein High School Titanes Salseros and special Hora Loca finale. 

A health fair will be running throughout the festival. Participants can receive free health screenings, visit resource tables, pick up resources and enjoy family-friendly activities. Food will be available for purchase throughout the event and Hispanic food vendors will be on site.  

HH DEP

Street parking is available around the venue and a free shuttle service will be available from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the following locations: 

"Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich contributions and vibrant cultures that have helped shape Montgomery County into the diverse and inclusive community we are today,” said County Executive Elrich. “This festival is an opportunity to honor those traditions while also offering important health services to our residents. I’m excited to see our community come together for a day of celebration, learning and support. I hope everyone takes advantage of the chance to connect with local resources and each other. I encourage all residents to attend.” 

For a detailed schedule of events at the festival, visit the Latino Health Initiative website. 

Kid activities at the festival will include Barrios Mágicos de Montgomery County (Magical Neighborhoods of Montgomery County). The theme is “Encanto” (“enchanted”). While supplies last, children will have the opportunity to make piñatas and guitars from recycled cardboard and participate in a game of environmental Loteria (lottery). Attendees can also get their faces painted or take a photo in the photo booth.  

The festival was organized as a joint effort by the Wheaton Urban District, the Mid-County Regional Service Center, the County’s Department of Health and Human Services’ Latino Health Initiative, the Department of Recreation, the Department of Transportation, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Police Department, Alcohol and Beverage Services, the Community Engagement Cluster, the Office of Public Information, the Department of Environmental Protection, County Public Libraries, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Office of Community Partnerships and the Department of General Services.  

Montgomery County is encouraging participants to share their experience at the festival on social media via Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter) and Instagram using the hashtag #AmaTuVida24.  

# # # 

Release ID: 24-428
Media Contact: Lorna Virgili 240-277-8072