In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Penn State is set to host an assortment of events from mid-September to the end of October to celebrate the rich culture of Latine and Hispanic communities. 

The overall theme for this year’s events, selected by the University Park Hispanic Heritage Month organizing committee is “Nuestra Comunidad Latina: Celebrating a Thriving Community.” Various events, performances, and festivals will honor State College Hispanic and Latine students and community members throughout the month.

SHPE Festival: Tuesday, September 19

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers will host a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration from 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, in the Kunkle Lounge of Hammond and Sackett Buildings. Guests can enjoy live performances, dance lessons, and a fashion show, and have the potential to win big in raffle prizes.

Anthony Orozco Keynote Speech: Thursday, September 28

Anthony Orozco, Harrisburg-based WITF journalist, will speak from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, in the Foster Auditorium in the Paterno Library. Orozco will provide guests with insight into his experience as a Latina/o reporter in Pennsylvania and emphasize the significance of community building in the keynote event. 

Hispanic Heritage Cultural Night: Friday, September 29

A celebration for the Centre County Latina/o community will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 29, in Heritage Hall at the HUB. This event will include live music and performances from Caliente and Crooner & Co. Latin Band, and dinner will be provided at 6:30 p.m.

The dress code is business casual, and the event is recommended for guests over the age of 10. Free tickets will become available on Friday, September 15, and are required to reserve a seat at dinner. Folks can purchase tickets here. 

Happy Valley Latino Festival: Saturday, October 7

The Borough of State College and Downtown State College are set to host the Happy Valley Latino Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with food vendors, live music, and arts and crafts.

Las Cafeteras Performance: Tuesday, October 10

Join the talented musical group of Las Cafeteras for a live performance at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, in the Eisenhower Auditorium. The Las Cafeteras band combines different styles of Mexican music to create a unique mashup of musical genres.

From hip-hop, rock, and cumbia, there’s sure to be a genre all guests will enjoy. The cost of admission is $5 for University Park students with a student ID. For more details regarding the event, check out Las Cafeteras’ website. 

You can find more information regarding National Hispanic Heritage Month and a full slate of events throughout the month here.