Montgomery County’s first ever Hispanic Heritage Festival and Health Fair takes place on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Marian Fryer Plaza in Wheaton. The free event celebrates Hispanic heritage and promotes a deeper understanding of the traditions that enrich the community.
Located at 2424 Reedie Drive in Wheaton, the festival will feature live music performances by Luis Garay, Ocho de Bastos, Pepe Gonzales, and the Albert Einstein High School Titanes Salseros, culminating in a special Hora Loca finale.
A health fair will run concurrently, offering free health screenings and resource tables where attendees can collect information and participate in family-friendly activities. Hispanic food vendors will be on-site, and food will be available for purchase throughout the day.
Free shuttle services will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from several locations:
- Germantown Transit Center (19843 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown)
- Long Branch Community Recreation Center (8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring)
- Wheaton High School (12401 Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring)
- Paint Branch High School (14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville)
- Richard Montgomery High School (250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville)
Children’s activities will include the “Barrios Mágicos de Montgomery County” (Magical Neighborhoods of Montgomery County) theme, inspired by “Encanto.” Kids can make piñatas and guitars from recycled cardboard, participate in environmental Loteria (lottery), get their faces painted, and pose in the photo booth, while supplies last.
Montgomery County departments, including Health and Human Services’ Latino Health Initiative, the Wheaton Urban District, and the Department of Recreation, organized the event, along with many other County partners.
The County encourages attendees to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #AmaTuVida24. For a full schedule of events, visit the Latino Health Initiative website.
