Hispanic Heritage Month celebration slated for Oct. 13

MADISON — With Hispanic Heritage Month coming to a close Oct. 15, Rosie’s International Services Inc. will be hosting a family-friendly festival at the Madison Public Library auditorium Oct. 13 from noon-4 p.m. to wrap up the occasion.

Rosie Douglas, Founder and CEO of Rosie’s International Services, said this is the first celebration hosted in Madison. The organization has hosted several events over the years in Huntsville. The purpose of the celebration is to raise awareness and understanding of the Spanish culture in the community.

“Personally, I have a love for people and culture, bringing people of all races together and sharing the culture,” Douglas said.

The festivities will include presentations, arts, children’s activities, salsa dancing, special displays, free Spanish food, Zumba, Spanish music by DJ Pat and more. Douglas said the presentations, songs and dances will be performed by locals who are native speakers.

Douglas said she hopes that through events like this and a community-wide increase in cultural awareness, youth will be able to learn more about the Spanish culture and language before reaching high school. She said many schools in the area do not offer students the opportunity to take Spanish classes until high school.

Douglas said Rosie’s International Services, which was established in 2005, aims to “enrich and enlighten the community with culture through art in education, vocal and instrumental music, mentoring, Spanish summer camps, youth recruitment and volunteering.” The Spanish summer camps that the organization offers serve kids ages 5-17 during the month of June. Douglas said the students are recognized with a fiesta at Big Spring Park in Huntsville.

In addition, Rosie’s International Services provides instruction and tutoring in languages, multicultural awareness and more for disadvantaged or underachieving youth across North Alabama.

Douglas said there will be special prizes for military families at the festival.

“We will be honoring a military family with a free hotel stay for the weekend to relax and have fun,” Douglas noted. This prize is complementary of Homewood Suites in downtown Huntsville.

Walmart will be sponsoring the event.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually in the United States from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. For more information on the local celebration, call 256-429-8039. Madison Public Library is located at 142 Plaza Blvd. in Madison.