PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off this weekend with a two-day event hosted by the Mexican Heritage Society.
The Fiestas 56 event starts on Saturday, September 14 at the Bob Bowers Civic Center and will run through Sunday, September 15.
People are invited to dive into Hispanic culture as dozens of dancers, musicians and food vendors showcase their talents.
The event organizer, Mindy Escobedo, tells 12News Fiestas 56 is just a taste of what Hispanic culture represents. She says the event is meant to celebrate the history, from the rich foods to the different dances.
"Sometimes we get lost on the American dream and forget about our Mexican roots," Escobedo said.
The annual event was created to share a vibrant culture with Southeast Texas.
"If you come to Port Arthur you'll notice a lot of the Mexican families that we have from here are from Michoacán and Coahuila," said Escobdeo.
Escobedo says the two-day event will be full of exploring foods, dances and music unique to Mexico.
"We'll have a car show outside, outdoor vendors, we have a food truck that's coming," Escobedo said.
Organizers say they're most excited for the tamale eating contest, pageants and sharing the history of folkloric dance.
"This is the jalisco dress," said Kimberly Olguin, a folklorico dancer.
Olguin has been dancing for 11 years.
"One of the dances I'm most excited for is Campeche," she said.
Olguin and Sean Garcia will also be performing a courtship routine native to Jalisco.
"It is him showing his love towards her. He's wanting to capture her love at the moment. He's chasing her around stage doing all the flirtatious things you would think of through dance," Garcia said.
As the Mexican Heritage Society takes Southeast Texas on a journey through the colorful cultures and rich histories they say it's a time to honor their roots.
"I think sometimes we forget it too, so it's great to be reminded every single year of all the different cultures that come in the Mexican community," said Escobedo.
Fiestas 56 is a two-day event. Doors open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.