The coastal air was filled with music, laughter and the aroma of elotes on Saturday, as hundreds gathered at Chavez Park for the Third Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
Families from across Long Beach enjoyed a festive afternoon of cultural pride, featuring traditional folklórico and tamborazo dancing, games and live music. Children participated in dance contests for prizes while parents mingled and enjoyed authentic food offerings. Women dressed in vibrant folklórico regalia twirled through the crowds, highlighting the community’s rich traditions.
Centro CHA, a nonprofit that has served Long Beach’s Latino/Hispanic population since 1992, organized the celebration.
“The community needs us, we’re all in this together, we need them to feel appreciated … to feel loved,” said Ariana Sahagun, an event organizer and Community Health Justice Manager with Centro CHA.
A woman holds her child at the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Celebration on Oct. 11, 2025. The festival featured dances, contests, food and other activities for residents to enjoy. (Justin Enriquez | Signal Tribune)
Children participate in a dance contest at Chavez Park as part of the third annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Oct. 11, 2025 (Justin Enriquez | Signal Tribune)
Despite the festive atmosphere to close out Hispanic Heritage Month, underlying fears of immigration enforcement still lingered, and were addressed by organizers rather than ignored.
Centro CHA and other community partners continue to provide safe, joyous spaces like the festival in the face of growing concerns, as well as critical information and support to families.
The nonprofit provides resources such as immigration application assistance and fee waivers, referrals for domestic violence education, and help navigating applications for government benefits.
Sahagun said Centro CHA will continue to engage residents through educational programs, food access initiatives and legal aid referrals.
A child wears focklorico regalia to participate in the Hispanic Heritage Celebration festival at Chavez Park on Oct. 11, 2025 (Justin Enriquez | Signal Tribune)
In 2018, Long Beach passed the “Long Beach Values Act,” aligning itself with California’s sanctuary policies stating that local governments and agencies cannot cooperate with immigration enforcement unless required by a judicial order. However, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have reignited fears among undocumented residents.
One such operation involved a car wash raid in the Cal Heights neighborhood, raising alarms among immigrant advocates and activists. There have also been ICE raids at the Home Depot in Signal Hill and at another Long Beach car wash in the past few months.
The celebration provided a reminder to its community: Despite the fear that has unsettled families and neighbors, being together is what matters, especially when sharing good food.
