Johnson County residents of all ages are invited on Oct. 2 to join a festive celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

The free, public event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park. No tickets are required to attend.

From Spanish explorers, to Mexican traders and laborers, to recent Central and South American immigrants, the Kansas City region has deep Latino history. Today, the Latino community is Johnson County’s fastest growing population.

National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 is a time to honor the culture and contributions of Latino Americans across the United States. The 2024 theme is “Pioneer of Change: Shaping the Future Together.

Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 when President Johnson proclaimed the week including Sept. 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. These dates were chosen because they coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile.

In 1988, President Reagan expanded the celebration to a month-long observance.

More information is available on the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s website at JCPRD.com.