Hispanic Heritage Celebration makes debut in Mifflintown

Saturday event will bring food, music, dance and community resources

MIFFLINTOWN -- When Geovy Gonzalez first settled in the area, she wondered where the local Hispanic community was.

"I thought I was the only Hispanic in the community," she said.

Work in local factories changed that impression. Gonzalez met Hispanic residents from Mifflin and Juniata counties and heard about the obstacles some faced, particularly language barriers and limited knowledge of local services.

On Saturday, Oct. 10, she hopes to bring more of those neighbors together through food, music and dance.

Gonzalez is helping organize the first Hispanic Heritage Celebration, scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. at Moist Run Park, 498 Jefferson St., Mifflintown. The free event will bring together Hispanic food vendors, local organizations, a DJ, dance instruction, children's activities, and vendors representing several cultures.

"What inspired me was the love for the culture and the desire to bring people together," Gonzalez said.

She wanted an event where Hispanic residents could celebrate who they are, where they come from, and the different cultures represented in the community.

That interest in different cultures began long before Gonzalez arrived in central Pennsylvania. She was born in Ecuador and moved with her parents to New York when she was 2. Her family later settled in Miami, where she grew up around people from many backgrounds.

Growing up in Miami exposed her to different cultures and taught her the value of learning about other people.

"It was nice to be exposed to the different kinds of cultures, learn about them, live with them within the same community and have that fellowship," she said.

Family eventually brought Gonzalez north. Her son moved to the area, married, and had children. Gonzalez followed because, she said, she couldn't stay away from her grandchildren.

Gonzalez is also known locally through "Zumba with Geovy," the fitness classes she teaches in the community. She said people often recognize her through Zumba, and she described herself as someone who enjoys bringing people together.

Because she spoke English, Hispanic co-workers and acquaintances began approaching her with questions and concerns. Gonzalez said some struggled to find help locally because of language barriers. For some services, she said, residents had to go to Harrisburg or State College because they couldn't find Spanish-language help nearby.

That experience helped shape an event designed to celebrate Hispanic heritage while connecting residents with resources available close to home.

Food vendors will represent Mexico, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, and Ecuador. Gonzalez said four cultures will be represented through food, with six or seven vendors expected to participate. Seven nonprofit organizations have also committed to attend.

Among them are Head Start and CareerLink's English as a Second Language program. Gonzalez said she especially wanted Hispanic residents to learn about programs they may not realize are available.

"Many people don't even know that the state offers these free English classes for them so they can learn English and move forward, get a better job, have more opportunities," she said.

The schedule also includes music, dancing, and activities for children.

A DJ from Ecuador will provide music. A dance instructor from State College is scheduled to lead a free 30-minute bachata lesson. Children will have a bounce house, face painting, stage games, and chances to win prizes.

The original event plans included a live band, but Gonzalez said organizers couldn't secure enough sponsorship money to make that happen this year. She already has it on the wish list for next year.

Gonzalez also wants people who don't speak Spanish to feel comfortable attending. Organizers will use both English and Spanish from the stage so everyone can follow the program.

"I definitely want everybody involved because we are all one," she said. "We all live in the same town, in the same community. We all want the best for our community."

Gonzalez estimated about 100 people have told committee members they plan to attend or have expressed excitement about the event. The flyers have circulated throughout the area, and she said messages requesting information have continued to arrive.

Still, this is a first-year event. Gonzalez knows the committee will learn what works and what doesn't.

She already has ideas for 2027: more countries represented, more performers and, if money allows, that live band.

But she isn't measuring the first celebration by how elaborate it looks.

"The success would be the attendance," Gonzalez said. "I really would like to see the community come out for this event."

For Gonzalez, the first measure of success will be simple: people showing up and enjoying themselves. If they do, she hopes the celebration will return next year with more cultures represented and even more of the community taking part.