Waukegan, Illinois (September 15, 2024) – The Waukegan Park District is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with several programs and events from Sunday, September 15, 2024 to Tuesday, October 15, 2024. The special programming will honor Latinos and their contributions to arts, culture, and history.
The following programs will be offered during National Hispanic Heritage Month:
- Waukegan’s Latino History Virtual Exhibit available on Sunday, September 15, 2024 on the Waukegan History Museum Companion App (Free)
- Zumba Fitness Night: Celebrating Latin Hits on Monday, September 16, 2024 from 6pm to 7pm at the Field House Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center (Free)
- Parents’ Night Out on Friday, September 20, 2024 from 5:30pm to 9pm at the Field House Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center (Free for Members)
- Family Lotería Night on Friday, September 20, 2024 from 6pm to 7pm at the Belvidere Recreation Center (Free)
- Taste of Hispanic Heritage on Friday, September 26, 2024 from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Belvidere Recreation Center
- Family Lotería Night on Friday, September 27, 2024 from 6pm to 7pm at the Belvidere Recreation Center (Free)
- Family Lotería Night on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 6pm to 7pm at the Belvidere Recreation Center (Free)
- Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 10am to 12pm at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts (Free)
- Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop on Saturday, October 12, 2023 from 10am to 12pm at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts (Free)
According to the National Archives, National Hispanic Heritage Month began as “Hispanic Heritage Week” under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 and expanded to “Hispanic Heritage Month” under President Ronald Reagan when it was enacted into law in 1988. September 15 is the start of Hispanic Heritage Month because it is the independence day for multiple Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico’s independence day is on September 16 and Chile’s independence day is on September 18.
More information about the Waukegan Park District’s special programming during National Hispanic Heritage Month is available at waukeganparks.org/herenciahispana.
About the Waukegan Park District
Established on December 26, 1916, the Waukegan Park District (WPD) has 53 properties and more than 742 acres of land, including the 18-hole Bonnie Brook and 9-hole Greenshire Golf Courses. Properties are managed to the highest environmental and conservation standards. Facilities operated by the WPD include the Field House Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center, Waukegan’s Greg Petry SportsPark, Waukegan Skate Park, BMX Track, SplashZone, Percussion Playground, recreational centers, disc golf course, dog exercise area and agility course, outdoor sports fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, splash pads, and sports courts including basketball, tennis and pickleball. A full range of programs and services are offered year-round for all ages, from infants to seniors, as well as special need populations. Healthy lifestyles, wellness initiatives, and a connection with the outdoors and nature are integrated throughout programs, services, and special events. Arts and cultural activities are provided by the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus, and the Waukegan History Museum. We offer something for everyone!
A member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), and the Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA), the WPD employs 73 full-time and 219 part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees and is recognized by the IPRA as an Exceptional Workplace.
Nationally accredited by the NRPA Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and State accredited through the IAPD Distinguished Agency Accreditation, the WPD has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Triple Crown Award for receiving the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The WPD was awarded the NRPA National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 2013, and was named a Gold Medal Finalist in 2012, 2013, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Media Contact
Josue Pasillas, MPA
Communications Supervisor
Waukegan Park District
(847) 360-4789
jpasillas@waukeganparks.org
waukeganparks.org