To mark the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, Tucson will launch its inaugural ¡Viva Tucson! Celebration, taking place Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The city will celebrate with public displays of art, music, film and food as well as events to shine a light on the community’s Hispanic roots.
“¡Viva Tucson! celebrates not only Mexico’s independence, but also that of other Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Chile, and Belize,” says Felipe Garcia, president and CEO of Visit Tucson, in a press release. “I’d encourage locals and visitors alike to experience one or multiple events firsthand. No matter your heritage or ancestry, I guarantee you’ll learn something about others, and perhaps in turn yourself. After all, ¡Viva Tucson! is a celebration of not just Hispanic heritage, but the vibrance of humanity and Tucson’s strong sense of community.”
¡Viva Tucson! Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off Sept. 15 at Fox Theatre with a Mexican Independence Day Concert hosted by The Consulate of Mexico in Tucson. The Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Mariachi Aztlán from Pueblo High School and Compañía de Danza Folkórica Arizona are all set to perform music from Mexican composers.
Other notable events during ¡Viva Tucson! Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month include:
Release Party of “Las Hermanas” Beer, Sept. 16: Hispanic female brewers hailing from both sides of the U.S/Mexico border have collaborated to create a new brew that celebrates the diplomacy shared between the two countries. Called “Las Hermanas” or “the sisters,” the beer was brewed at facilities in both Mexico and the U.S. The release party will occur at Borderlands Brewing Company in Tucson, with the brewers from Cielito Lindo in Mexico also in attendance.
Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta, Oct. 6 to Oct. 9: The 11th annual Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta will return to Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium. This year’s event will include four Mexican Pacific League (Liga ARCO Mexicana Del Pacifico) teams and the University of Arizona Wildcats.
Tucson Meet Yourself, Oct. 7 to Oct. 9: This free, three-day festival celebrates the living traditional arts of Southern Arizona’s and Northern Mexico’s diverse communities. Hundreds of artisans, home cooks, dancers, musicians and special exhibits honor beauty in all its forms.
For a complete list of events of ¡Viva Tucson! Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month events, visit VisitTucson.org/Viva.