ROCHELLE — The first-ever Hispanic Heritage Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15 from 4 to 11 p.m. near the gazebo on North Main Street in downtown Rochelle.

Organizers of “Fiesta Hispaña” are inviting the Rochelle and surrounding communities for an afternoon and evening of live entertainment, music, food, and activities. There will also be a pageant for girls, ages 5 to 8 years old.

“The Hispanic Heritage Festival will not only kick off Mexican Independence day, but also Independence for other countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Guatemala, Chile and Belize,” Rosie Arteaga, event organizer, said. “This celebration wishes to give thanks to generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation.”

Committee members organizing the event include Celia Mayor, Rosario Herebia Hueramo, Monce Aguirre Serrano, Jenny Thompson, Maria Mascorro and Arteaga.

Organizers are now recruiting contestant for La Reina Hispaña of Rochelle 2018, open to girls, ages 5 to 8 years old for a $10 entry fee.

Several types of food available include pozole, tacos, tamales, tortas, and antojitos mexicanos. There will also be margaritas, cantaritos, micheladas, and vampiros. 

Children’s activities include face painting, a bouncy house, crafts and more.

“Rochelle does a great job of embracing different cultures and this will be a celebration open to the public to celebrate the Hispanic community in Rochelle and surrounding areas,” Arteaga said. “We would love to invite everyone to celebrate and embrace the Hispanic art, culture, music, diversity and the food.”