More than 700 people visited Friendship Park in downtown Battle Creek Saturday. They came to take part in the opening fiesta for Hispanic Heritage Month, which lasts from September 15-October 15.
Jesus and Lucy Grillo, co-publishers of Nueva Opinión, are also the Battle Creek Latin American Heritage Initiative’s head organizers. This year marked the ninth fiesta organized by the initiative. When the Grillos weren’t greeting guests and awarding winners, they also danced to the music of Orquesta Tradición.
Witnessing genuine enthusiasm and appreciation from the community was one of Jesus Grillo’s favorite parts of Saturday’s event.
“Seeing families and individuals come together to celebrate our heritage and support each other was truly heartwarming,” he said. “The excitement during the raffles, the joy of awarding scholarships and incentives, and the heartfelt recognition of the organizations that made the events possible were all highlights.
Grillo also found it especially rewarding to see the direct impact of the Battle Creek Latin American Heritage Initiative’s efforts on the lives of families and students.
“We recognized 12 organizations with plaques for their contributions to the Hispanic Heritage Month activities in Battle Creek,” he said.
The fiesta included raffles for six $500 Meijer or Walmart gift cards and one $250 FireKeepers Casino Hotel gift card. Additionally, the winners of seven laptops were announced. The laptops had been raffled among Latino families with students in Battle Creek area schools
“We also revealed the winners of four ‘Nuestra Herencia’ scholarships, each valued at $1,000, and two $500 incentives for housing, food, or books at the university,” Grillo said.
Several community services and organizations, many of which were among the 26 total sponsors, participated in Saturday’s fiesta. Any form of political or religious proselytism is prohibited at initiative events, Grillo explained. However, this year’s fiesta included VOCES a Latino organization in Battle Creek. VOCES’ booth offered impartial voter registration opportunities.
“The event is sustained by the dedicated efforts of our volunteers and community partners, as well as the support from local organizations and businesses,” Grillo said. “Its purpose is to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Hispanic community in Battle Creek.”
Organizers continue to both honor and recognize the contributions of individuals and organizations, and to strengthen community ties and raise awareness about the significance of Hispanic culture.
“By doing so, we aim to foster a sense of pride, unity, and inclusion within our community, ensuring that the diverse cultural legacy of Hispanic heritage continues to thrive and inspire future generations,” Grillo said.
Watershed Voice was there to enjoy the Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta. Check out our gallery below.
Friendship Park in downtown Battle Creek hosted the ninth annual fiesta to launch Hispanic Heritage Month. 
Guests enjoyed food, music, art, and recognizing achievements. 
Orquesta Tradición performed for the crowd. 
A total of 26 sponsors made this year’s fiesta possible. 
A volunteer prepares arepas from Colombia. 
Jesus and Lucy Grillo, forground right, dance to the music. 
Lucy Grillo makes some announcements. 
Angeles Reyes, Kalamazoo, and her children Elena, 4, and Pedro, 7. 
Noe Rizo, Battle Creek, loved the music and the confidence during this year’s fiesta and all of those before it. ‘It’s a home away from home,’ he said. 
Coming out in support of VOCES are, from left, Mary Graniela, Angelia Saavedra, 8, Miguel Angel Enriquez, Marian Guzman, and Sandra Torres. 
Genuine enthusiasm and appreciation from fiesta guests warmed Jesus Grillo’s heart. 
Youth could enjoy time out of the sun when they worked on art. 
Downtown drew a crowd Saturday in Battle Creek.
Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
