Where to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Utah
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Hispanic Heritage Month is underway, with events around the Salt Lake Valley celebrating Latino culture and history in the U.S.
Why it matters: Latinos are one of the state's fastest-growing demographic groups, representing nearly 1 in 5 Utahns.
Flashback: Mexicans and Spanish speakers lived in present-day Utah before it became the 45th U.S. state in 1896.
- Utah was still part of Mexico when Latter-day Saint pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
- The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848, putting an end to the U.S.-Mexico war. Under the agreement, Mexico relinquished the region to the U.S.
- Since then, the state's mining, agricultural, and railroad industries have brought generations of Latino families to Utah.
Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15.
Here's where to celebrate:
🎨 LatinArte: Nuestras Raíces Exhibition: The exhibit, organized by the Mexican Consulate and Artes de México en Utah, will showcase Latino American art through Friday.
- Where: The George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Gallery at Salt Lake Community College's South City Campus.
💃 Mi Gente: The celebration will include live performances, a market, food vendors, dancing and a full bar, along with children's activities, 5-10pm Saturday.
- Where: Millcreek Common.
🩺 Health & Heritage Fair: The 11th annual fair by Take Care Utah will provide free health screenings, along with live music, food and folklórico performances from noon-8:30pm Saturday. A procession highlighting more than 30 Latin American countries begins at 1:30pm.
- Where: Utah State Fairpark.
⚾ Béisbol en Salt Lake: Take in Mexican baseball and Hispanic culture Saturday and Sunday as the Águilas de Mexicali face off against the Jaguares de Nayarit. Tickets start at $15.
- Where: The Ballpark at America First Square.
🪡 La China Poblana: The University of Utah is featuring an exhibit on traditional Mexican dresses through Dec. 31.
- Where: J. Willard Marriott Library.