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Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept/Oct 2021
All roads lead to Miami Carnival 2021
Each year, the United States observes National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept.15 to Oct. 15. It’s all about celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. This year's theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is "Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope." According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, more than 60 million Hispanics live in the United States. That includes more than 15 million in California. Data from the Pew Research Center shows people of Mexican origin accounted for nearly 62% - about 37.2 million - of the nation's overall Hispanic population as of 2019. Those of Puerto Rican origin are the next largest group, at 5.8 million. Six other Hispanicorigin groups in the U.S. have roughly 1 million or more people each: Cubans, Salvadorans, Dominicans, Guatemalans, Colombians and Hondurans. “Latinos are the largest minority group in the U.S.," said Dr. Elvia Ramirez, Professor of Ethnic Studies and Director of the Chicanx/Latinx Studies Program at Sacramento State. cont'd on page 17
MESSAGE FROM THE MIAMI CARNIVAL ORGANIZERS Welcome to Miami Carnival, the ultimate cultural experience that combines the various elements of Carnival with the beauty of Miami over Columbus Day Weekend in October. The annual event features four signature events, Junior Carnival, Panorama, J’ouvert and a costumed Parade & Concert and brings visitors and participants from across the globe, all who come to celebrate Caribbean culture. We are excited about getting back to the celebration of the Miami Carnival. But we want to do it safely and responsibly. Covid 19, along with the Delta variant, has changed the landscape of our world, so we must change with it.
As we plan for the 2021 Miami Carnival season, please know that the Miami Broward Carnival Host Committee, which produces the official Miami Carnival on Columbus Day weekend in Miami, is committed to our patrons’ safety masqueraders, vendors, and the community at large. With that said, we want to inform you that we will incorporate and go beyond the CDC’s minimum requirements. Traditional Carnival as typically celebrated in Trinidad and Brazil, is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent, usually in February or March. Here in South Florida, Miami Carnival celebrations begin the week before cont'd on page 7