Culmore residents celebrate Hispanic Heritage
With the immigrant community in Culmore going through hard times, a festival on Sept. 15 brought residents of all ages outside to celebrate Hispanic culture and arts.
That was the focus of Culmore Day on Sept. 19 in Bailey’s Crossroads, held in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month.
Residents are on edge, and many are spending more time indoors, as ICE has been increasing its presence in the area. On Sept. 17, ICE agents approached two people at the 7-Eleven on Glen Carlyn Drive, wrestled them to the ground, and took them away.
The Culmore Day event offered residents a chance to enjoy dance performances, music, raffles, and free food (empanadas, tacos, and hot dogs). There were displays of items from Latin American countries and resource tables hosted by county agencies and nonprofits.
The arts and contributions of Bolivia, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Panama were represented at the event.
“It’s really important to celebrate our culture and be proud of where we’re from,” said the organizer, Andres Curtin, strategy director for Crossroads Opportunity Neighborhoods at Second Story.
Culmore Day has been held for the past 18 years. This year, it was at a new location, the parking lot outside the Culmore Family Resource Center.
“The event was an opportunity to bring the community together, celebrate the diversity that makes us strong and connect residents to county and community-based programs that enable us to thrive,” Curtin said.
Band leader Joe Falero kept things lively with Latin American music on keyboard, conga drums, trumpet, saxophone, and timbales.
Maria Demarest, the family liaison at Bailey’s Elementary School, brought the framed proclamation approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 15 designating Sept. 15-Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
In an effort to get teens more engaged in the community, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, one of the organizations at Culmore Day, is launching Teen Nights at community centers, including the Minnie Peyton Community in Bailey’s Crossroads and the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church.
Teen Nights, for youths ages 12-18, are held on Fridays and Saturdays, 6-10 p.m. Activities include open gym, board and card games, table tennis, parties, art activities, talent shows, and karaoke.
Related story: Culmore families come together for Unity in the Community