A new business group focused on Hispanic entrepreneurs will mark Mexican Independence Day with a celebration in Woodstock.
The event, which will include Mexican music, dancing and food, is hosted by Hispanic Connections Woodstock. The celebration is open to the public.
“Since our population has a lot of Mexican descendants in the area or people who were born in Mexico, we thought it was a great way to celebrate with the community,” said Juanita Vega, a financial representative with Country Financial who is president of Hispanic Connections Woodstock.
The event will run from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at Flores Banquets, 240 N. Throop St.
Mexico celebrates its Independence Day on Sept. 16.
Organizers are planning a variety of entertainment for the celebration, including a mariachi band and other live Latin music, performances by dancers from Ballet Folklorico de Mexico and bouncy houses for kids. Admission is free, and food and drinks will be available for purchase.
“It’s a great time for not only the Latino and Hispanic community to celebrate, but also to show the rest of the American community in Woodstock a little bit of our culture and what we do — our music and things like that,” Vega said.
Hispanic Connections Woodstock, which has about 18 member businesses, was formed in January. It is part of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The Independence Day celebration, which has 13 business sponsors, will be the group’s first public event.
“It’s so rewarding seeing how the Hispanic community has come together, because I think there was a need for the community to have a place to be together and be able to support each other and see how we can build these events,” Vega said.