Maile Blume
When Maribel Carvajal de Salazar started organizing Belmont’s annual National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in 2022, she had no idea that the event would one day grow to include tables representing residents from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and El Salvador.
“I didn’t know how beautiful it was going to turn out, and how much excitement it was going to bring,” she said.
According to Data USA, an online site that visualizes data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Belmont’s Hispanic population is approximately 1,235 or 6% of the total population.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m. at the Beech Street Center. Attendance is free and open to the public. She is expecting around 300 people and said the event will include a surprise opening performance. There will also be piñatas filled with candy and toys; traditional foods, including empanadas, ceviche, and papa a la huancaína; and a contest for the best table.
“And of course, the feeling of my people, that is warm, open, friendly, vibrant, and happy,” she added.
When Carvajal de Salazar was volunteering at the Beech Street Center three years ago, the center’s former director, Dana Bickelman, asked if she would be interested in putting together the event.
“I said, ‘Of course – it’s my culture, my tradition, my everything. Why not?’” Carvajal de Salazar recalled.
Originally from Quito, Ecuador, Carvajal de Salazar has lived in Belmont for 23 years.
“This is the only town I’ve [lived] in, in America, and I’m very thankful to be here and to build belonging in our community,” she said, adding that the celebration is an opportunity for residents “to know that it doesn’t matter what color you are [or] where are you coming from … we are in this together.”
The celebration is supported by the Beech Street Center, the Recreation Department, Belmont Against Racism, the Belmont Human Rights Commission, and local businesses.
“With a big heart and the support of everybody, it’s going to happen,” she said. “And it’s going to be a successful, fun event to embrace diversity, to embrace community, and to learn from one another.”
