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Date: 10/3/2023
CHICOPEE — The city of Chicopee is hosting its first Puerto Rican Heritage Month Celebration, to honor the Puerto Rican community’s rich contributions to the city. In preparation for the event, the city is seeking out vendors.
Communications and Special Projects Manager Chloe Soto shared that the city is inviting local artisans, food truck owners and Chicopee businesses to participate in the event on Nov. 10. It will take place on the City Hall campus from 4-8 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the Chicopee Cultural Council and “promises an engaging experience, showcasing Puerto Rican traditions, arts and flavors,” Soto said.
Some of the event features include Papercity Kids hosting an arts and craft table for creating mini vejigante masks.
Brendaliz Cepeda, a renowned local artist, will lead a mini class and perform the traditional bomba dance, an Afro-Puerto Rican dance with deep historical roots.
OnQ Entertainment will be providing DJ services and PhotoGraf Lab will be offering a photobooth for attendees to capture memories.
“The intention is to foster a ‘Chicopee supports Chicopee’ atmosphere,” Soto said.
To become a vendor, contact Soto at csoto@chicopeema.gov or 413-594-1500.
The final list of vendors will be shared once selections are completed.
Puerto Rican Heritage Month aligns with the broader National Hispanic Heritage Month that is observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. “This event is particularly significant given the general lack of awareness about Puerto Rico’s unique history and relationship with the United States, as evidenced by various surveys and studies,” Soto said. “This celebration aims to promote both awareness and unity within the community.”