Ceremony Marks Start of Latino Heritage Month

A lighting ceremony marked the beginning of Latino Heritage Month Thursday evening on the 6th Street Bridge in Boyle Heights, symbolizing the theme of this year’s event: Bridges.

“East Los Angeles is connected to the city by bridges, but more symbolically, bridges connect one of the most significant groups in the city with the diverse population here,” said Deputy Mayor Rocky Delgadillo.

Although this year’s celebration marks the 21st annual event, Delgadillo said it was important because of the city’s new commitment to make Latino Heritage Month a world event.

“We want to generate a destination-based event, like the Mardi Gras in New Orleans,” said Delgadillo, chairman of the event’s organizing committee. “We want to turn this into an event where people from all over the country, from all over the world, come to Los Angeles to celebrate Latino culture.”

One of this year’s highlights will be a Latino Film Festival at Universal Studios Oct. 8 to 12 hosted by actor Edward James Olmos. The celebration also will feature a Tango Festival in Hollywood Oct. 5.