The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites all residents and visitors to join in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. This series of events, aimed at showcasing and exploring the diversity of the Hispanic Culture, will include live music, movie nights, arts & crafts and much more.
“It is my privilege to celebrate the vibrant and multi-faceted culture that makes up the Hispanic Community with our residents,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “As a Hispanic leader in public service, I am honored to advocate for the hard-working individuals who make up approximately one-third of Union County. Please join me in celebrating this rich heritage by participating in these upcoming events, see you there!”
Hispanic Heritage Month’s calendar of events kicks off with the Annual Union County Hispanic Heritage Flag Raising Ceremony on Friday, September 15th at 4:45 p.m. Guest speakers will notably include Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados, Commissioner Lourdes Leon, and the Consul General of El Salvador, Ariel Valle.
The full schedule of events includes:
Friday, September 15th
4:45 p.m. – Union County Hispanic Heritage Flag Raising Ceremony
Union County Courthouse – 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth
6:30 p.m. – Union County Residents: Meet & Greet Your Local Hispanic Civic Organizations
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) – 1601 Irving Street, Rahway
8:00 p.m. – Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) – 1601 Irving Street, Rahway
Free Limited Tickets Available, Scroll down to reserve today
Thursday, October 12th
12:00 p.m. – Hispanic Leadership Event
Marelyn Rivera, NJ Department of State, Executive Director for Hispanic Policy, Research & Development
Union College of Union County – 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford
The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to invite residents to a Hispanic Heritage Month Leadership Event on October 12, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at Union College of Union County, ROOM N-4, located at 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford. The keynote speaker featured at this event is Executive Director of the New Jersey Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development in the Department of State, Marelyn Rivera.
“I am proud to present this opportunity for our residents to engage in meaningful discussions with Hispanic leaders who have made remarkable contributions to our community,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Pioneers like Ms. Rivera serve as role models, demonstrating that through collaborative efforts, we have the capacity to make significant changes, not only within the Hispanic community but also throughout society at large. I encourage you to attend this seminar, and I hope to see you there.”
As a first-generation student in her family, Marelyn Rivera will be discussing her history growing up as a Latina woman in New Jersey, and how she was able to leverage her background and education during her fifteen-plus year career span, championing and advocating for the Hispanic Community every step of the way.
“I am delighted to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by featuring the accomplished and accredited Latina, Ms. Marelyn Rivera.,” said Commissioner Lourdes M. Leon. “Her leadership in both the public and private sectors stands as a testament to the possibilities when one dedicates themselves to serving their community.”
The Leadership Event starts at 12:00 p.m. with the special presentation from Ms. Rivera, and is open to the public.
This event is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, part of the Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State, and is organized by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, and held in collaboration with Union College of Union County, NJ.
For more information on this event or other Cultural and Heritage-related events or programs, please contact John Prescott, History Programs Coordinator, at 908-436-2912 or by email at jprescott@ucnj.org
Saturday, October 14th
Please note all events planned for Saturday have moved to Sunday ⬇️
Sunday, October 15th
2:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Family Fun Day
Free Live Music, Arts/Crafts, Food Trucks
Warinanco Park, Roselle/Elizabeth
5:30 p.m. – Family Movie Night
Playing: Vivo
Warinanco Park, Roselle/Elizabeth
Tickets for the Spanish Harlem Orchestra Event at the UCPAC
Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the 3x GRAMMY ® winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band, sets the gold standard for excellence in authentic, New York style, hard core salsa.
Whether in a concert hall or at an outdoor jazz festival, there is no easing you in as they come at you full force, from start to finish. Their energy on stage and their rich sound and musical precision leave audiences mesmerized until the last note is played. With an unwavering respect for the music’s storied history, the ensemble’s thirteen world-class musicians and vocalists come together to create an unparalleled musical experience!
Now celebrating their 20th year, Spanish Harlem Orchestra is dedicated to the sounds of the barrio (Spanish Harlem NYC). Their music is characterized by the raw, organic and vintage sound defined by the genre. They are on a mission to keep the musical legacy of salsa dura (hard salsa) alive and expand its audience to those who love great music, not just Latin music. Grounded in the past, while focused on the future, they strive to keep the music relevant, creating a unique and fresh approach.
Founded by pianist and composer Oscar Hernández two decades ago, the mission statement of Spanish Harlem Orchestra is to honor the tradition of great Latin music, and to continue their work as “the leading light of the salsa reconstruction movement” (Newsday). On Imágenes Latinas, their eighth release due out May 20th, 2022, the band stays true to their purpose.
UCPAC is proud to kick off Hispanic Heritage month with a celebration of sound that will have you up and dancing the whole night long! Don’t miss Spanish Harlem Orchestra!
This show is sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.