Hispanic Heritage Month to be celebrated in Dover

The Tuscarawas County YMCA, Dover Public Library, Fourth & Faith and Puentes invite the community to join them in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 with special events and educational talks taking place throughout the community.

Events for all ages include a special story at the Dover City Park StoryWalk featuring the book “Pepe and the Parade” by Tracey Kyle. Illustrated by Pura Belpré Honoree, Mirelle Ortega, and with Spanish words included throughout, the story is an introduction to the Spanish language.

Snack and Learn at the YMCA will take place Monday, Sept. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a presentation by Isela Ailon of Puentes. Learn about the culture and history of Guatemala, Ailon’s native country, and her journey to the U.S. and Tuscarawas County. Coffee and tres leches cake will be shared. Register at the YMCA or call 330-364-5511.

Quaker Cinema’s Tuscarawas Valley Film Festival will include the short documentary, “Frontera De Sueños” or “Border of Dreams,” on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Produced in 2023 by journalists from Guatemala and Bethel University, the documentary explores why and how two undocumented families try to change their lives by crossing the border. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Quaker Cinema.

A walking tienda tour of downtown Dover will begin at Fourth & Faith on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m. Meet four store owners and learn about the different products they have available for sale.

Cleveland artist Hector Castellanos Lara will speak at the library Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. Learn about the Latino art scene in Northeast Ohio including workshops and events offered throughout the year. His personal artwork, inspired by his native country of Guatemala, will be on display in the library community room for the month of September.

On Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., the library will welcome Trang Moreland of Vietnam and Edelia Sosa Rivas of Mexico for A Tale of Two Immigrants. Each will share the personal story of their journey to the United States, the challenges they faced and the adjustments they made to have a better future.

Guatemalan culture and fashion will be showcased Saturday, Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Fourth & Faith. A group of young ladies from the local Latina community will share the cultural significance behind the patterns and figures woven into their traditional attire.

Learn more about Guatemala’s history and culture on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the library with Jeff Bray, a longtime advocate for the Guatemalan community.

Fiesta Latina at the YMCA will be Saturday, Oct. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. Experience the sounds of the marimba, savor flavors, admire traditional clothing and immerse yourself in the culture of Latino neighbors. A Zumba fitness class will get started at noon, a band will play at 1 p.m. and the Dr. Maria Garcia Book Launch will be at 2 p.m. Crafts, a piñata and an origin map will be featured during the event.

“We are thrilled to partner with Puentes, Fourth & Faith and the Dover Public Library for our second annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Meagan Shaheen, CEO of the Tuscarawas County YMCA. “These events are a celebration of our community’s rich cultural diversity and provide an opportunity for all of us to come together to learn, converse and honor the vibrant contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities here in Tuscarawas County. We look forward to a month filled with music, art, history and connection.”

Pick up an event booklet from Dover Public Library, 525 N. Walnut St.; Tuscarawas County YMCA, 600 Monroe St.; or Fourth & Faith, 409 N. Wooster Ave., and collect a stamp at each event. Collect at least six stamps from events throughout the month to enter into a prize drawing for a gift basket or a piñata. The drawing will be held Oct. 19.

Registration is required for some events. Contact the Dover Public Library or YMCA for details. Information about individual programs can be found on the Tuscarawas County YMCA website at www.tuscymca.org, the Dover Public Library website at www.doverlibrary.org/events or on their social media pages.