Orange County and the Hispanic Heritage Committee of Greater Orange County (HHCOGOC) recently hosted the fourth annual Orange Fiesta in the Park at Jay Blanchard Park.<\/p>\n
This family-friendly event included live Latin music, salsa dancing, food, information booths and games. Orange Fiesta in the Park also hosted the championship games of the second-annual Orange County Mayor\u2019s Cup soccer tournament.<\/p>\n
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs provided the welcome remarks and presented awards to the winners of the annual poster art contest and the Mayor\u2019s Cup soccer tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom extraordinary culture, arts, academic achievement and leadership, our Hispanic citizens have had an incredibly positive impact on our community,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cWe know that Orange County is a great place to live, but it\u2019s more than that. It\u2019s also a place where we value distinct customs and traditions and a place where we don\u2019t just value diversity, we celebrate and embrace it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Congressman John L. Mica and Orange County District 3 Commissioner Pete Clarke also joined Mayor Jacobs and citizens in the festivities.<\/p>\n
Orange County Utilities Engineer Alex Moncaleano coordinated this year\u2019s Orange County Mayor\u2019s Cup soccer tournament and assisted Mayor Jacobs with presenting awards to the winning teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Mayor\u2019s Cup soccer tournament showcases the year-round work of the Hispanic soccer community in Central Florida,\u201d said Moncaleano. \u201cIt is an opportunity to unify the community and award the passion and achievements that Hispanics bring to the beautiful game in the U.S.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diana Almodovar, Orange County Public Works Development Engineering Manager, serves as president of the Hispanic Heritage Committee and was proud to be part of yet another successful Orange Fiesta in the Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cOrange Fiesta in the Park is a celebration of the contributions that Hispanics have had in Orange County,\u201d said Almodovar. \u201cWe are happy to have the community join us in this celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Hispanic Heritage Committee of Greater Orange County is a volunteer-based organization founded with the purpose of providing opportunities that promote and highlight the contributions made by individuals of Hispanic descent in the community. All proceeds from food sales during Fiesta in the Park will go toward scholarships for local Hispanic students.<\/p>\n
This year, Orange County kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month<\/a>, which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 annually, with a celebration at the Orange County Regional History Center on Sept. 16. The celebration included cultural dance performances, Hispanic food and the unveiling of special Hispanic artwork, which is on display at the History Center and the atrium of the Orange County Government Administration Center.<\/p>\n Photos from Orange Fiesta in the Park<\/a> may be found on Flickr for use by the media.<\/p>\n