The upcoming Sept. 17, 18 and 19 Hispanic Heritage Festival promises area residents a broad array of fun activities while bringing a crowd of visitors to the downtown area to benefit local merchants. According to Dublin Chamber of Commerce Interim Executive Director Amy Keith McDonald, the success of the event will depend largely on the participation of local residents.
“The Hispanic Heritage Festival, although brought to you by the Chamber, will be successful due to the people of Dublin,” she said. “From the planning, led by committee co-chairs Juanita Torres and Sandra Espinosa, to the active participation we are hoping for from our community, we will leave attendees eager for their next trip to Dublin.”
The three-day event provides locals many opportunities for fun and fellowship. The Festival begins on Friday night, Sept. 17 with a ranch rodeo at the Dublin City Park. Saturday’s downtown activities commence with a trail ride into town, a full-fledged parade, and a day crammed with entertainment and shopping, followed by a street dance and live band from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Sunday, the Christ Across Cultures gathering of area Christians offers the opportunity to come together for a praise and worship event presented in both Spanish and English.
“The purpose for this event is to draw business into our community,” McDonald said. “However, the Festival represents an important opportunity to build a bridge between cultures and to gain a greater appreciation and understanding for a heritage shared by so many of our neighbors.”
Watch, Laugh, Compete or Volunteer at the Rodeo
According to McDonald, the Friday night Ranch Rodeo offers the first chance for involvement. Locals may decide if they wish to attend and enjoy watching the event; join two other cowhands and enter as a team to earn buckles and prize money; or join other Chamber members in serving at the evening’s concession stand.
“We understand that this is a football Friday, and many folks will be supporting our Lions at the game,” she said. “However, we hope those not attending the game will make time for this well-produced ranch rodeo.”
Unlike the event held the previous weekend on Sept. 11, the ranch rodeo features working cowboys and cowgirls displaying the skills they use routinely on the ranch.
The rodeo will begin with the mutton busting event at 6:30 p.m., for kids ages six and under, followed by the cowhands taking the arena at 7 p.m..
Alcohol will be available at the rodeo. Only individuals aged 21 and above wearing a wristband will be allowed to drink, and no coolers and ice chests will be allowed.
Play Soccer in the Tournament
An important part of Hispanic culture, the sport of soccer, or football, is a popular pastime. Soccer plays a large cultural role throughout Latin America and continues to draw people with Latino heritage together in the United States. Thus, no Hispanic Heritage Festival would be complete without a soccer tournament.
This tournament will begin Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Dublin City Park (unlike other Festival activities.) Sponsored by the First National Bank of Dublin, De Leon and Gustine, the tournament will feature 7-on-7 play in a double elimination tournament. A trophy and other prizes will be awarded to the winning team.
Soccer players in the area are encouraged to form a team with at least six others and join the tournament. Tournament registration details are available online.
Ride a Horse, Join the Parade or Raise Some Funds
Saturday is ripe with chances to get involved, from joining the trail ride to Dublin at 7:30 a.m. to the Parade beginning at 9 a.m.
Parade chair Rhonda Williams still is accepting entries. Community members are encouraged to dress in traditional dress and walk or ride in the parade. Tractors, floats, bands, horses and other entries are welcome.
The two-day market (or mercado) begins at 9 Saturday morning and continues until the event is concluded at 1 p.m. Sunday. Local businesses may have a booth in Hogan’s Alley or on Elm or Grafton Street, which has been closed for the Festival.
Community or school organizations are invited to host booths to share information, earn funds or to raise visibility for various causes. Anyone seeking to register a booth should contact the Chamber of Commerce office.
Dublin Chamber members and GO TEXAN members are invited to have a booth at no charge.
Showcase Your Salsa Skills
Dublin area residents who have the knack for making good salsa are invited to make a batch and enter it in the salsa contest. Sponsored by Brookshire Bros., the salsa contest requires one gallon be made and presented for voting by the public at the event, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. The “People’s Choice” winner will be announced at 3:30.
Judging for the Salsa Contest will be conducted by those attending the event through the casting of ballots. Those ballots may be obtained on site from the Dublin Band Boosters, supporting the “Sound of Dublin Band” through sales of ballots. Chips will be provided by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
Attend, Shop, See, Hear and Enjoy
At any time between 9 a.m. and midnight Saturday, or between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., attend the Festival. You will have the opportunity to see Folkloric Dancing at 4:00 p.m., and hear bands and other entertainment throughout the day. Bring the kids for the “Pinata Break” at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Wright Park (during Dublin Market Days) or enter the jalapeno eating contest.
Dance the Night Away
Join other dancers Saturday evening between 8 and midnight, as Los Yepez band and others delight the crowd. The dance, sponsored by Texas Car Detail, will be held at the corners of Elm and Grafton Streets.
Worship: Christ Across Cultures
Join other Christians in worship on Sunday as area churches and congregations come together as one. Services will be held in both English and Spanish.
McDonald says this event also relies on the influence of local residents. “The Christ Across Cultures portion of the Festival will only be successful if area congregations remember the importance of spreading the word across cultures,” she said.
“I urge local churches and praise groups to move their own worship ceremonies to this gathering and enter this commission with heartfelt enthusiasm.”
Sponsors Make Event Possible
Many area businesses have come forward to sponsor the Hispanic Heritage Festival. The Texas Department of Agriculture’s GO TEXAN grant program will underwrite $5,000 in event expenses as a result of a grant request submitted by the Chamber in April.
Four local agricultural businesses, including Sierra Dairy, Frontier Feedlot Dublin LLC, Crossroads Dairy LLC and Windmill Farms LLC, have provided significant support for the Hispanic Heritage event.
First National Bank of Dublin, Gustine and De Leon joins Waste Connections, Brookshire Bros., the Dublin Citizen, Crazy Heart Sound and Lighting, Texas Car Detail and Bradberry’s Best as Gold Sponsors for the Festival.
Silver Sponsors include Lucky Vines Vineyard and Lucky Brewing Company; Dublin EDC; Texas Bank; Dreamcatcher Dairy; ;and the Law Firm of Brady Pendleton.
Bronze Sponsors include El Corral Supermarket, Things Celtic, Bruner Auto Family, Fiesta Radio, Tortillierra Mi Tierra, Dublin Cleaners, Beukeboom Dairy, Stephenville La Quinta Inn, Dairy Solutions Inc. and Dublin National Bank.
Amigos Sponsors are Terri White, Bill and Ida Rodriguez, Dublin Insurance, Martin’s Ready Go, Dr. Eddie Salyer and Antonio Briseno.
Information Easily Available Online
More details are available online at www.dublintxfestivals.com.