CULTURE IN EVERY STEP | San Marcos Record

Heritage Walk honors residents of all 21 Hispanic countries

Of San Marcos’ 71,569 residents, 41.9% are Hispanic, according to the census. That’s approximately 29,987 people living in the city, representing many Hispanic cultures and countries around the world. On Saturday, there was a Hispanic Heritage Walk followed by festivities at the Hays County Historic Courthouse to celebrate this strong population that contributes to the great diversity of San Marcos.

The event began with a speech by Stephanie Reyes, San Marcos City Manager, followed by a proclamation read by Jane Hughson, San Marcos Mayor, at the Centro Cultural Hispano. This historic building now houses one of the nonprofit organizations that sponsored the event and serves as a “community beacon for the preservation, development, promotion and celebration of Hispanic arts, culture, heritage and values,” according to the Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos website. The other sponsor of the event was the League of United Latin American Citizens. The event was organized by the Hispanic Heritage Walk Committee.

“Hispanic cultures around the world are unique, yet they all share a common core, a certain inner pride in what it means to be Latin American, from a shared language to the small gestures of respect we show our elders. Being Latin American means being proud of our cultural heritage,” Reyes said. “I owe a lot to some of you and the love, support, hard work and dedication of our Hispanic and Latino community. I especially want to thank the Centro Cultural Hispano De San Marcos for your invaluable contributions to our community through your mission to preserve, celebrate and promote Latin American art, culture, heritage and values. Among other gifts, you ensure that the traditions of Ballet Folklorico and Mariachi are maintained and continue to be recognized and taught by the youth of our community. We all have a responsibility to ensure that we carry on the heritage, elegance and style that these traditions represent to us and our families.”

Lucy Gonzalez is the brainchild behind the march, which began three years ago. She works for Community Action and is a missions pastor at PromiseLand San Marcos Church, and both roles involve “serving the community and just finding out what is needed in the community and then trying to meet those needs with events or sometimes by referencing other organizations that are doing the same things we are doing and serving our community.” She came up with the idea for the march when she realized that many locals assumed that Hispanics in San Marcos were mostly Mexican because it is a neighboring Hispanic country, but that was not true. San Marcos was home to people from all 21 Hispanic countries, all of which deserved recognition.

“When we started this, there was nothing that represented the community or brought attention to how many people from these different countries are here,” Gonzalez said. “We use the march to tell people that they belong, and not just Hispanics. [people]. I think this is for everyone. Everyone’s culture is important. … We use this quote from Cesar Chavez: “Preserving one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.” Gonzalez said the event started at the Centro because it has historical significance for the community.

“Years ago, when there was still segregation, all children with Hispanic last names, regardless of race or ethnicity, were sent to what was called the Mexican school,” Gonzalez said. “Centro Cultural used to be part of the school district, but the donation was made to Centro Cultural about a year and a half ago. [Hispano de San Marcos] to take it over and preserve it as a museum.”

Gonzalez said 30 organizations were involved in the event and that there was food, booths and music on the courthouse lawn, including performances by the Texas State University Folklorico and the San Marcos High School Mariachi Band, all designed to “showcase the rich Hispanic culture.” The event benefited the area’s youth by sponsoring each of the 21 Hispanic country flags and proceeds from those sponsorships went directly to scholarships.

“The main sponsors are LULAC and Centro Cultural Hispano,” Gonzalez said. “LULAC provides scholarships to graduates of this event who are going on to college, and Centro Cultural Hispano provides scholarships to local elementary, middle school and even high school students who cannot afford their recreational activities.”

Hughson described the event as an opportunity to celebrate the “robust Hispanic countries, which include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela.” This event served as a kickoff to Hispanic Heritage Month, which Hughson said will run from September 15 to October 15.