Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually in the United States from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and began as National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. In Evansville, the month hosts a series of events to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans.
Fiesta Evansville is one of the prime events surrounding this holiday. Held on Oct. 10 in Wesselman Park, the eighth annual festival is one of the largest Latino festivals in the region. Featuring cultural and international performances, cultural exhibits, live entertainment, and booths of authentic food, it’s the perfect family event for all ages and all backgrounds to be fully immersed in Hispanic heritage.
Although occurring outside of the recognized month of celebrations, Dia de los Muertos celebrations on Oct. 30 in Henderson, Kentucky’s Central Park represents a deep-rooted tradition in Mexican culture. The holiday is centuries old and celebrates the lives of passed loved ones. Attendees of this year’s free event can enjoy a beer garden, face painting, traditional dancers, and a candlelight procession.
With three more weeks of Hispanic Heritage Month, there is plenty of time to honor Hispanic members of the community. One way is through supporting local restaurants. Evansville is home to many locally owned Hispanic eateries, including:
Agaves Mexican Grill — 2003 Stapp Drive, Henderson, Kentucky
Cancun Mexican Restaurant — 341 S. Green St., Henderson, Kentucky
Caribbean Cuisine — 1010 S. Kentucky Ave.
Casa Fiesta Mexican Restaurant — 2121 N. Green River Road
Chava’s Mexican Grill — 4204 N. First Ave.
Chicken N’ Salsa — 122 N. Weinbach Ave.
El Charro Mexican Restaurant — 720 N. Sonntag Ave.
El Paisano Grocery and Taqueria — 225 S. Green River Road.
El Patron — 943 N. Park Drive.
El Rio — 1919 N. Green River Road
Fiesta Acapulco — 8480 High Pointe Drive, Newburgh, IN.
Gollita Peruvian Cuisine — 4313 E. Morgan Ave.
Hacienda — multiple locations in the Tri-State
Herradura Mexican Restaurant Bar & Grill — 4610 Bellemeade Ave.
Inkas Charcoal Grill & Bar — 8401 N. Kentucky Ave.
Jalisco Mexican Restaurant — 4044 Professional Lane, Newburgh, Indiana
La Campirana — 724 N. Burkhardt Rd.
Las Americas Store and Restaurant — 1016 S. Weinbach Ave.
Los Alfaro’s Restaurant — 1021 S. Weinbach Ave.
Los Bravos — several locations across the Tri-State
Los Portales Mexican Grill — 3339 N. Green River Road
Los Torbio — 1647 S. Green St., Henderson, Kentucky
Los Tres Caminos — 12100 U.S. Highway 41-N.
Medina’s (Alondra Mexican Store) — 1035 Washington St., Henderson, Kentucky
Panaderia San Miguel Mexican Bakery — 2004 Washington Ave.
Riviera Mexican Grill — 10604 Highway 662, Newburgh, Indiana
Tacoholics Kitchen — 122 1st St., Henderson, Kentucky
Taqueria Company — 800 N. Green River Road, 2519 N. First Ave.
Taqueria Y Pupuseria Miranda — 2008 Washington Ave.
Parade Photo provided by Fiesta Evansville.