Festival Celebrates Rich Hispanic Heritage

The Hispanic Heritage Festival at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School on Oct. 23 was set off by colorful decorations hung around the classrooms and on the school’s outdoor grounds on the blacktop to celebrate the ninth annual festival. Rosa López, a PTA member, has coordinated the event since its inception. “It’s really exciting because the community gets involved. The fire and police department come, and we have Aztec dancers that come and perform,” said López. “Each year it gets bigger and bigger and the kids really love it.” When the students weren’t performing, they were playing games of “Toss the Tortilla” or getting balloons twisted into the shapes of their favorite animals. Kids were not the only ones enjoying themselves—parents viewed a student art exhibit in the cafeteria featuring artwork from various classes. Grades 1 through 6 contributed artwork, each class being inspired by different Hispanic artists or countries. The PTA set up booths along the blacktop where they sold tacos, burritos, nachos, sodas, water, kettle corn, pizza, and snow cones as part of fundraising efforts to benefit the school. Principal Patricia Horton announced that the money would go towards field trips and supplies for the students. Students performed the “Macarena,” danced to “La Bamba,” and recited poems as a part of the entertainment. Colton Community Dance Center also featured several performances by students of all ages, and invited audience members to participate. In a special performance, José Andrés, a second grader, sang a few songs in Spanish he learned when he visited his grandfather in Mexico. One of the event highlights was the performance by the “Danzantes de Aztlan,” an Aztec dance group based in San Bernardino. Dancers donned colorful headdresses, played the drums, and then invited the children to dance along with them. The night was filled with games, art, dance, music, food, and prizes that not only celebrated the heritage of the students, but also raised money to give back to the school. Students, teachers, and parents agreed that they enjoyed themselves and look forward to the festival next year.