(Additional photograph below.)
More than 200 took part in a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month this Sunday in downtown Haverhill with performances, food, entertainment and activities for children.
The Haverhill Hispanic Heritage Celebration, not widely publicized in advance, brought mariachis from Mexico and a variety of Dominican, Peruvian, Guatemalan, Puerto Rican, Columbian and Cuban entertainers. There were also free foods from different cultures largely provided by the Latino Coalition with help from local bodegas; Hispanic arts and crafts for sale; informational tables with voter registration forms and local health resources; and kids activities featuring vibrantly dressed clowns, all within the third floor of Pinnacle at Harbor Place.
Eridania Nieves, director of Haverhill High School’s Girls Empowered Means Success, or GEMS, summarized the day, saying, “Unidos Somos Mas, Together We Are More.”
Besides Nieves, also of ERI Entertainment, organizers included Carmenza Bruff, president of the Columbian Cultural Committee; Kathy Rurak, community organizer and fundraiser; Latino Coalition President Argenis Marte and Treasurer Penelope Guerrero Perez, also a member of the Haverhill School Committee; Aliesha Grandison; and Yojani A. Sosa Guerrero.
Besides Guerrero Perez, other elected officials taking part were Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, state Rep. Andy X. Vargas and Governor’s Councilor Eunice D. Zeigler. Marina Agosta represented Sens. Pavel M. Payano and Barry R. Finegold.
Haverhill Bank served as major sponsor with additional support provided by the Haverhill Cultural Council and Columbian Cultural Council, Pentucket Bank, BrightBridge Credit Union, Almanzar Insurance, and Gary Ortiz of GoTax Accounting and Services.
Haverhill Hispanic Heritage Celebration organizers included, from left, Carmenza Bruff, Fermin de la Cruz, Argenis Marte, Aliesha Grandison, Eridania Nieves, Kathy Rurak, Johany Sosa and Penelope Guerrero Perez. (Photograph courtesy of Borrero Photography & Marketing LLC.)