Discovery Park of America will host an educational event for the whole family to learn about Hispanic history. Guests will have the opportunity to explore Hispanic foods and culture in various hands-on activities and listening sessions.

Schedule of events below:

1 p.m. Program for Hispanic Heritage/Geoscience Celebration in the Tennessee Room:

• Video of Dr. Michael Gibson speaking about his time with Adriana Ocampo, a Hispanic geologist who discovered the Chicxulub crater impact that caused dinosaurs to go extinct.
• Children’s storytime – Read aloud the book “Hill of Fire” by Thomas P. Lewis. The story is based upon the “birth” of the Paricutin volcano on February 20, 1943 in a cornfield in Michoacan, Mexico. (“Hill of Fire” is available for purchase at the Discovery Park gift shop.)
• Children’s STEAM activities:
  • Build a “volcano” and watch it erupt.
  • Make maracas and learn about the musical instrument.

There will also be digging sessions at our newly opened Discovery Fossil Pit for the first 20 people. The first 10 can participate at 10:30 with the next group set to dig at 11:30.

Hispanic Heritage Day is free with general admission or a Discovery Park membership. 
Purchase tickets here.

Main Street of Union City is hosting its annual event, Tacos and Tamales, in Kiwanis Park in downtown Union City on October 7 at 4 p.m. Find out more about the event here.

Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures and extensive histories of the American Latino community.

Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week,” but it was later extended to a month in 1988. Since then, HHM has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more. The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th. They also include holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.