Celebrating heritage
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on September 6, 2017 5:50 AM
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The Ballet Folklorico de Colores group poses for a photo. Mexican Independence Day Fiesta will be held Sept. 16 at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
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Members of the Ballet Folklorico de Colores dance. They will be performing during the Mexican Independence Day Fiesta at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
Wayne County residents can experience a little bit of Mexican culture at a Mexican Independence Day Fiesta Sept. 16. It will take place at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the Arts Council of Wayne County in partnership with PNC.
"We are very excited about it," said Wendy Snow Walker, Arts Council director. "We had the Ballet Folklorico de Colores from Wayne County here for Cinco de Mayo and decided we need them for the Fiesta, too."
Greyseal Puppets will also perform puppet shows from around the world, with three different children's stories from other countries. The puppets will be on stage at 11 a.m.
"There is a reporter on the spot who will take everyone through events of Mexican Heritage Day," Ms. Walker said.
Ballet Folklorico will perform at noon.
There will also crafts for visitors to do. And food trucks will be on hand with things like nachos and tacos for sale.
"This is part of our multicultural music night series that is sponsored by PNC," Ms. Walker said.
After the Mexican Day Fiesta, there will be an Octobrewfest Oct. 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Brew Works. There will even be a polka band.
The series continues Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at Wayne Community College. Corazon De Granada, a flamenco troupe consisting of a guitar player, a singer and a flamenco dancer will perform.
A Native American Heritage Day will take place Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gov. Charles B. Aycock Birthplace in Fremont.
There will be more events in the multicultural music night series in the summer and they will also be related to other countries.
All of the series events are free and family friendly.
"At all of these will be a little bit of food and a little education," Ms. Walker said. "We'll have a learning station set up so people can learn a little something about the art and a little something about the country. That's part of why we wanted to create the multicultural music night series. It was more than just the art. You get a little more taste of the culture to go along with it."
For more information about any of these events, call the Arts Council at 919-736-3300.