Mexico’s cultural heritage took center stage at Prairie Village’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration Saturday afternoon at Harmon Park.
A performance by Ballet Folklorico’s Itsï Asuli group showcased dances and costumes representing multiple states in Mexico, including Veracruz, Baja California and Jalisco.
“It’s just a way for me to express my culture,” said Kimberly Garibay, who dances with the group. “It’s very nice to be able to show everyone a little piece of Mexico.”
Dancer Melanie Fernandez, 11, likes the educational aspect of their performances.
“What we do is show other kids what Mexican culture is,” she said.
Kip Myers of Kansas City attended the event and said he hadn’t seen the group before but enjoyed the “very energetic” style of the Baja California dance performed by Andrea Hernandez.
Ron Nelson, chair of the city’s diversity committee and city councilmember for Ward 2, said he thought this year’s turnout was better than in the previous two years.
“This is more people than we expected to be here, especially given the heat,” he said.
The temperature reached into the mid-90s for much of Saturday afternoon.
Diversity committee member Ruth Hopkins said she was pleased to be able to help arrange for the event.
“It showcases an entire other culture,” Hopkins said.
Leawood resident Alma Friendt has attended many events in Harmon Park, including the Juneteenth celebration earlier this summer.
“Anything to help the Prairie Village community bring awareness to different cultures —different food, different music — is amazing,” she said.
In addition to the dance performance, attendees could get a taste of elote popcorn and walking nachos from Casa Ama, a new Mexican restaurant located in Corinth Square.
To help people get a feel for some Mexican folk art, Magpie Creative Reuse had a booth where people could make their own milagro hearts with foil, yarn and markers.
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