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Music, dancing and color fill Granby for Hispanic Heritage Month celebration

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Meg Soyars Van Hauen

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Members of the Origenes Dance Collective twirled and spun in bright costumes on the Polhamus Park stage in Granby at the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Sept. 21, 2025. The group states they "celebrate Bolivian and Peruvian heritage with energetic performances and vibrant costumes that honor our rich cultures."
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News

Grand Latin’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration recognizes local residents from many Latin American cultures.

The group Grand Latin coordinated with Destination Granby for the celebration on Sunday, Sept. 21, at Polhamus Park. Hispanic Heritage Month lasts from Sept. 15-Oct. 15.

The event was lively and family-friendly, as attendees enjoyed stunning dances by performers young and old, colorful crafts, facepainting and more. Many attendees even did some dancing of their own, as performers dressed in Día de los Muertos costumes and traditional attire mingled with the crowd.

Destination Granby’s executive director, Sarah Cichon, said that a highlight of the daylong event was a festive parade that kicked off at the park. The Catrinas Parade was a vibrant procession of skeleton figures from Mexican folklore.

Members of the Origenes Dance Collective twirled and spun in traditional costumes on the Polhamus Park stage in Granby at the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Sept. 21, 2025.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
Performers at the celebration

Danza Folclórica Chihuahua México y Honduras
Summit Colombian Dance
Orígenes Dance Collective (Peru y Bolivia)

Cichon also thanked the Grand Latin committee members and volunteers who made the event possible.

Silvina Spatocco, Grand Latin and Family Support Services Coordinator at Mountain Family Center, was on hand at the event, helping it run smoothly.

Spatocco was appreciative of the event’s turnout, even amid residents’ fears of federal immigration enforcement in Grand County.  

Members of the Origenes Dance Collective on the Polhamus Park stage in Granby at the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Sept. 21, 2025.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News

In addition to the performers, there were also lots of vendors offering crafts. Darla Gutierrez, owner of K-Town Truck, and Nanda Usselglio, owner of Pepe Osaka’s Fishtaco, both served food at the event.

Gutierrez and Usselglio said they were excited to see that the inaugural event was such a success. The Hispanic Heritage Month celebration sparked from Grand Latin’s successful Día de los Muertos event the year prior.

Usselglio is also a board member of KFFR radio 88.3, where she offers a Spanish-language segment for its listeners.

“It was a beautiful way to celebrate heritage, language and the diversity that makes Grand County stronger,” KFFR shared on its Facebook page. “Thank you to everyone who shared their voice and spirit with us.”

Participants at the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration are adorned with colorful costumes, including sombreros, floral headdresses and flowing dresses. The festival took place Sept. 21, 2025 in Granby.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News

About Grand Latin

Grand Latin began in January 2025, under the umbrella of services offered by the nonprofit Mountain Family Center, to better serve the local Latin American community.

“There was a big gap between our local organizations, information and resources, and our Spanish-speaking residents,” stated Mountain Family’s executive director, Stacy Starr. “Grand Latin hosts cultural and traditional events in the county, to help build awareness and bring people together.

“Grand Latin has partnered with other local agencies to provide classes on vendors permits, food safety and handling certifications, requirements for opening a bank account, the path to buy your first home, how to obtain a driver’s license, and many other educational sessions.”

Grand Latin’s Facebook page, Latinos en Grand County, connects Spanish-speaking residents with community information and events. Please visit MountainFamilyCenter.org/GrandLatin to learn more about Grand Latin or contact the group.

Members of the Origenes Dance Collective twirled and spun in bright costumes on the Polhamus Park stage in Granby at the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Sept. 21, 2025.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
At the end of the festival on Sept. 21, community members danced alongside performers in costumes next to the Polhamus Park stage.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News

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