Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. As in past years, the City of Chandler has organized a series of events for residents to celebrate and honor the rich histories, diverse cultures, and vital contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
“Chandler Contigo, which translates to ‘Chandler With You,’ is the city's program dedicated to offering a vibrant collection of educational and entertaining activities throughout Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Adrianna Erickson, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Program Coordinator for the city. Erickson has been at the helm of organizing these events in coordination with multiple city departments and community organizations. “Contigo covers all of our Hispanic Heritage programming throughout the month. Our goal is to bring residents of all cultural backgrounds together to share in and experience the community pride among Chandler’s Hispanic residents,” Erickson added. Hispanics make up approximately 23% of the city's population, according to 2020 census data.”
One of the flagship events of Chandler Contigo is ¡Día de Fiesta! Kickoff Event, on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside and outside of the Chandler Downtown Library, 22 S Delaware St. “When people step into the downtown library during Contigo they will see colorful decorations, hear festive music and become immersed in the Hispanic culture,” said Jean Reynolds, Library Program Manager. “We will have strolling mariachis, Ballet Folklorico performances, crafts and face-painting for kids, and a special poetry presentation from award-winning author Alberto Ríos, who is Arizona’s poet laureate.”
Another highlight will be the Lucha Libre demonstration from noon to 2 p.m. Professional wrestlers will showcase their skills and engage with the audience. “Lucha Libre was a huge hit last year, everyone stopped to watch, and we’re excited to bring it back. It’s not only entertaining but also a great way to highlight an important aspect of Hispanic culture,” Reynolds added.
Outside of the library, in the Dr. A.J. Chandler Park Stage Plaza, ¡Día de Fiesta! activities kick off with a youth soccer clinic hosted by Arizona Monsoon Football Club from 8 a.m. to noon. Youth ages 6 to 13 will have the opportunity to participate in skills clinics led by professional soccer players. Additionally, the atmosphere outside the library will be lively with food trucks, vendors selling traditional Mexican artifacts, and a DJ playing music.
As the month-long celebration progresses, all four Chandler Library sites will host their own unique events. These include a Quinceañera Fashion Show at the Hamilton branch, an indoor-outdoor family celebration at the Sunset branch, several arts and crafts programs for all ages, historical presentations, and special Storytime sessions for babies, infants and young children. And don’t miss the Hispanic heritage-themed Adult Puzzle Tournament hosted at each branch, with two-person teams competing in a race to finish the same puzzle and advance to the championship round. Registration is required for some of these events.
Other city facilities are hosting Chandler Contigo events, as well. One of the most popular events will return to the Chandler Center for the Arts on Oct. 5. The 25th Annual Mariachi and Folklórico Festival will feature Leyendas del Mariachi – Mariachi Legends – a rare gathering of musical icons from some of the most famous and distinguished mariachi from the past 30 years. Tickets start at $48.
The Chandler Museum will also participate by highlighting its ongoing exhibit, “Chandler A to Z,” which explores the city's history, including the contributions of Hispanic and Latino people, neighborhoods and businesses. In addition, the Chandler Museum will have a booth set up during the ¡Día de Fiesta! Kickoff Event on Sept. 21, where the public can step into Chandler's rich Hispanic and Latino heritage by exploring historic photos from the museum’s collection and helping to identify members of the community who are pictured. Come connect with Chandler’s past and help us bring history to life.
For movie enthusiasts, Chandler Contigo – in collaboration with the Chandler International Film Festival – will feature a special screening of the 2015 film “Spare Parts” on Sunday, Sept. 22 at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas in Downtown Chandler. The movie, which stars George Lopez and Marisa Tomei, tells the story of the Valley’s Carl Hayden High School Robotics Team, a group of underdog Hispanic students who triumphed over MIT and other top universities in a national robotics competition. Tickets are $12 and each screening will be followed by a Q&A panel with special guests.
As the city of Chandler continues to grow and evolve, the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month through Chandler Contigo serves as a reminder of the rich cultural tapestry that makes up the community. “Chandler’s strength is found in its diversity, and these events epitomize our vision of celebrating the contributions and experiences of all our residents,” Erickson said. “It’s not just about recognizing what makes us different, but also celebrating what brings us together.”
Erickson expressed gratitude for the support from Chandler’s mayor and council, who have funded the month-long program which enables the city to offer these events to the community. “We’re really proud of Chandler Contigo. It’s an award-winning program, and we’re excited to bring it back and make it even better this year,” she said.
For more information about the events and activities the City of Chandler has planned for Hispanic Heritage Month, visit Chandler Contigo.