Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade & Festival – Oct. 19
Join the free family fun at Pasadena’s 21th annual Latino Heritage Parade and Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. The event is sponsored by the City of Pasadena Human Services and Recreation Department and the Latino Heritage Committee. Online updates will be posted at cityofpasadena.net/LatinoHeritage and pasadenalatinoheritageparade2019.org.
More than 2,000 participants and visitors are expected at this year’s event that begins with the Parade at 10 a.m. at the corner of Washington Park, heads west to North Los Robles Avenue, then turns down on Villa Street, culminating at Villa Parke’s Multi-Purpose Field with cultural activities, food, music, and dance from noon to 4 p.m. This year’s theme “Latinos in the 21st Century” celebrates the Latino Community’s accomplishments in the U.S.
Street closures and temporary no parking zones on Prescott Street, Los Robles Avenue and Villa Street will be in effect from 8:30 a.m. through 2 p.m. Street closures will be lifted as soon as the parade clears the area.
The Festival features live entertainment, information and resource tables, fun activities for children and tasty food for purchase. A special feature in the Community Center this year includes the kids lecture, art display from recognized artists and a Hall of Success promoting cultural diversity awareness. Outside, on the festival’s stage, a special ceremonial presentation at 1 p.m. will honor this year’s Parade Grand Marshal, Laura Farber and Community Grand Marshal Dr. Cynthia Olivo.
Farber is a renowned lawyer Cumlaude with department highest honors from UCLA and earned her juris doctor from Georgetown University and the first Latina Woman elected as 2020 Tournament of Roses President for the 2019-2020. In addition to her many years of service in the Tournament of Roses, she has volunteered in various nonprofit organizations worldwide, including the American Bar Association.
Olivo is The Pasadena City College Vice President of Student Services, serving 30,000 diverse students, as granddaughter of migrant farm-workers, raised by a single mom, first in her family to go to college and third generation Mexican American/Chicana, she has been a longtime advocate for minority, low income and first generation college students.
Olivo earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Science in counseling from California State University San Bernardino, and a Ph.D. in education with an emphasis in urban leadership from Claremont Graduate University.