CAIRO – Downtown Cairo celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a parade, flamenco dancing and dozens of authentic Mexican meals on Saturday, September 16, 2023.

The brainchild of the Mission Vision Foundation director, Sylvia Salgado, the day of celebration was designed to honor the many Hispanic residents of Cairo, who often feel forgotten.

“Our community doesn’t get embraced,” Salgado said. “We are basically the forgotten community.”

While the community may often feel overlooked, the September celebration proved that they have a loud voice and are a driving factor in the community, bringing in twice the number of vendors and people as last year’s parade.

“This just shows how strong the Hispanic community is,” Salgado said. “This is what support looks like in the Hispanic community.”

Salgado explained the vendors and participants traveled far and wide to be a part of Cairo’s special celebration.

A special guest even flew in from Spain to perform a flamenco dance for the festival.

“She flew from Spain,” Salgado explained. “She will fly back after her performance, but this is her first time in the United States.”

The growth of the event and inclusion of special guests, such as the flamenco dancer, Salgado largely attributed to the City.

“This is very rare that the whole city and the whole community supports them (the Hispanic community) and gives them a safe space to be embraced, represent and have a good time,” Salgado said.

While the day is a celebration for the community and allows them to have a great time, it also gives access to the basic necessities such as haircuts, hygiene kits and backpacks for children in need.

“We give out haircuts, new shoes, hygiene items, toothbrushes, toothpaste, face masks and inspirational bracelets,” Salgado said. “It’s a little bit of everything.”

Kids were also encouraged to partake in the newly added Pinata Fest and Math Jam.

“We have James E. Miller out here with Math Jam and he is giving out $300 in cash prizes for kids who know their math facts,” she said.

Between the activities for kids and opportunities for fellowship among adults, Salgado felt like the day was truly the ultimate celebration of diversity and inclusion for all in the community.

She hopes to see the event continue to grow next year and encourages anyone interested in being involved to contact her.