Our four-week festival of Hispanic heritage, ¡Celebramos!, begins Sept. 15, and our calendar is packed with events that range from a Quinceañera community celebration to an outdoor market to an art exhibit of depictions of the plants of Latin America.
Families looking to celebrate Hispanic Heritage with their children should highlight Saturday, Oct. 1 on their calendars and plan to attend Día de la Familia. The day is packed with fun and educational programs and performances. It will culminate with movie night the Garden.
Start the day in the Fuller Garden with an exploration station about marigolds and indigenous foods, and two great make-and-take activities, available from 10 am – 1 pm. Craft your own traditional Ojo de Dios (God’s Eye) weaving and Papel Picado (Pierced Paper) flags.
Children of all ages will love story time with Carlos the Cactus and his friend. They will be reading Señorita Mariposa by Ben Gundersheimer and Marcos Almada Rivero in English at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm and in Spanish at 11:00 am.
Other activities in the afternoon include:
- Learn how to make traditional flower headbands that you can wear home. Registration and additional cost required. (Check the Día de la Familia for registration information.)
- Attend a piñata demonstration to understand how to make your own. You’ll also hear about the history of piñatas and their use in the Hispanic community.
- Explore the tradition of alebrijes and calavera. Alebrijes are brightly painted sculptures of fantastical creatures, while calaveras are decorated skulls. You’ll be introduced to the history and tradition of this folk art and receive your own sculpture to take home and paint. Space is limited.
All afternoon, we’ll be playing lotería, a traditional game of chance, similar to bingo. Winners will receive a ticket for a free treat.
The afternoon will wrap up at 3pm in the Leonard Courtyard with a ballet folklórico performance by local dancers. Adults and children alike will be mesmerized by the fast, rhythmic steps and the women spinning in their swirling, brilliantly colored dresses.
Día de la Familia will wrap up with family movie night at 7:30 in the Horseshoe Garden. Join us for a showing of Disney’s hit Encanto. This event is free, but you must reserve your spot online. No outside food/drinks/coolers/chairs are allowed. Bring your blankets and pre-order your picnic baskets from Rock Springs Cafe by calling 817-366-1100. And remember the advice of composer Lin-Manuel’s instantly classic song and don’t talk about Bruno.
We look forward to seeing you at Día de la Familia!
