National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 through October 15 and celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated Hispanic population of the United States is currently 45.5 million, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic minority. Worldwide, the U.S. has the 2nd largest Hispanic population, with only Mexico ranking first. Plus, they are the nation’s fastest-growing minority group with a 3.3% population increase in the past year alone and an estimated spending power of $1.5 trillion. (Selig Center for Economic Growth)

There are numerous events over the next few months celebrating Hispanic culture, traditions and milestones, and numerous opportunities to reach out to this vital, growing audience. EthnicEvents.com is designed specifically to highlight these events and connect organizers with marketing and promotion decision-makers, allowing them to promote their brands and services to their desired consumer audience in an experiential setting. Here is a sampling of some of the key Hispanic events taking place across the country over the next few months.

1. Festival Peachtree Latino – Atlanta, GA
Date: August 24, 2008
Website: www.festivalpeachtreelatino.com  
The largest multicultural event in this Region consists of a parade, International music, food, exhibits and presentations.

2. Brazil Independence Day Festival – New York, NY
Date: August 31, 2008
Website: www.brazilianday.com  
Brazilian Day is one of New York’s biggest street events and the biggest Brazilian event outside of Brazil. The event is organized by The Brazilians Newspaper and BACC (Brazilian-American Cultural Center), with the support of TV Globo International, part of the largest media group in South America.

3. La Fiesta del Pueblo - Raleigh, NC
Date: September 6 & 7, 2008
Website: www.visitraleigh.com  
La Fiesta del Pueblo attracts over 50,000 people to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds to celebrate and enjoy the food, the music, and the cultural richness of Latinos.

4. Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival – Hollywood, CA
Date: September 12-19, 2008
Website: www.latinofilm.org  
Showcase existing and emerging creative Latino talent while serving as a springboard and catalyst for the promotion of Latin films and filmmakers.

5. Fiesta Patrias – Los Angeles, CA
Date: September 13, 2008
Website http://www.allaccess.la/fpc/facts.html  
Celebrates the independence of several Latin American countries, most notably Mexican Independence Day.

6. Hispanic Heritage Day - Reno, NV
Date: September 13 & 14, 2008
Website: www.cityofreno.com  
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Hispanic art, culture, entertainment and food.

7. 26th Street Mexican Independence Parade - Chicago, IL
Date: September 14, 2008
Website: www.cityofchicago.org  
The 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade in Chicago is a unique celebration of Mexican history and culture and has become the largest parade in the Midwest.

8. Mexican Independence Day Celebration – Minneapolis, MN
Date: September 14, 2008
Website: www.golatino.org  
Celebrate at this family event with pony rides, inflatable games, Latino-American music, parade, low riders car show, sports.

9. Mexican Independence Parade and Festival – Milwaukee, WI
Date: September 14, 2008
Website: www.umos.org  
The Mexican Independence Festival features Mexican Music, Folkloric Dancers, Clowns, Performers, Carnival Rides, Prize Drawings, Piñatas, Games, Face Painting and much more.

10. Latino Heritage Festival - Des Moines, Iowa
Date: September 20-21, 2008
Website: www.latinoheritagefestival.org  
Builds awareness of the positive aspects the Latino brings to the community while serving as a vehicle to unite various human service agencies, corporations, and other community entities that want to reach out to the Latino community.

11. New York Mexican Parade - New York, NY
Date: September 21, 2008
Website: www.galoscorp.com  
Join New York’s Mexican community at the 12th annual Mexican Day Parade. This is a wonderful and fun parade that features the most vivid and colorful floats, folkloric dancers and Mariachis.

12. Hola Knoxville Hispanic Heritage Festival - Knoxville, TN
Date: September 27, 2008
Website: www.holafestival.org  
Enjoy the Jimmy Bonilla band, the Swing Latino band and many others, a parade of nations featuring typical costumes and dance exhibitions, homemade Latin food from several countries like Bolivia, Colombia, Puerto Rico and more.

13. 46th Regional Puerto Rican Day Parade - Philadelphia, PA
Date: September 28, 2008
Website: www.elconcilio.net  
Philadelphia's Puerto Rican Day Parade is the "Crown Jewel" of the Puerto Rican Festival. It was one of the first ethnic parades televised in Philadelphia by WPVI-TV Channel 6 (ABC affiliate), which allows an additional 60,000 viewers to tune in for a display of cultural pride.

14. Hispanic Heritage Awards - Washington, DC
Date: October 9, 2008
Website: www.hispanicheritage.org  
One of the most prestigious Hispanic honors and events in America; celebrating Hispanic pride, culture and accomplishment. Each year, the Honorees serve as a reminder through their uncommon achievements that no dream is beyond reach with hard work, vision and ganas.

15. Fiesta Glendale – Glendale, AZ
Date: October 11, 2008
Website: http://www.glendaleaz.com/events  
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the City of Glendale brings back Fiesta Glendale for the seventh year, a celebration of an important part of Southwestern roots.