The Latino swing vote, immigration reform, the growing Latino population, are all issues concerning Latinos and as they become part of the nation’s daily dialogue, communities are encouraged to learn more about the newest additions to their neighborhoods, schools, places of worship and businesses.
La Paz de Dios, Chattanooga’s leading Latino outreach agency, wants community members to have fun while celebrating and learning about Latino culture at La Feria Hispana.
“The Latino population in Chattanooga is rapidly growing,” said Stacy Johnson, chair of the board for La Paz de Dios. “Local businesses have benefited the most from this population increase and the purchasing power it represents. What La Paz wants to do is educate the general public and community members with accurate information about their newest neighbors and provide opportunities to engage in dialogue to learn more about Latino culture.”
According to the Pew Hispanic Center, the Hispanic population, already the nation's largest minority group, will triple in size and will account for most of the nation's population growth from 2005 through 2050. Hispanics will make up 29% of the U.S. population in 2050, compared with 14% in 2005.
In addition, the buying power of Hispanics exceeded $860 billion in 2007 and is well on its way to more than $1.2 trillion in 2012, according the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business.
La Feria Hispana is a community-wide celebration embracing Latin-American culture by promoting awareness and appreciation through a family festival of music, dance and food. The fourth annual Feria Hispana will be held on Sunday, May 4, from 12-5 p.m. at the Chattanooga Market in the First Tennessee Pavilion.
The event typically draws over 5,000 visitors. Attendees will enjoy music, dancing, food, a kid’s fun and games area, and more.
Event sponsors include The City of Chattanooga’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, AIG Environmental Services, Bell Development, BB&T, Erlanger, First Tennessee, Holston Methodist Financial Credit Union, Memorial Hospital, and University of Tennessee College of Medicine OB/GYN.
Exhibitors include Blood Assurance, Creative Discovery Museum, Grant Konvalinka & Harrison, P.C., Legal Aid, Mayfield, and World Next Door.