READING, Pa. – It’s downtown Reading’s final First Friday of the season, and organizers are finishing it off with an extra-special celebration.
“You should be here. You don’t want to miss it,” said Maritza Loaiza, Reading’s City Core Manager.
This block party celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.
Loaiza says it’s important to celebrate the city’s diverse community because it’s part of what makes Reading so special.
“We’re kind of highlighting a little bit of everything, and we’re inviting the community to come down and have fun,” said Loaiza.
The 600 block of Penn Street has something for everyone.
“With live Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Latin music,” said Loaiza.
“We have three bands playing starting at 5 p.m., and if dancing isn’t your thing, there’s also a lot of local food vendors, small businesses, and artisans,” said Loaiza.
There will even be a special guest, artist Mike Miller.
“He’s actually going to be doing paper Mache sugar skulls with the community,” said Loaiza.
Even though Loaiza says events like these are a lot of work, she says the community makes it worthwhile.
“Seeing the community have fun and enjoy themselves, whether it’s dancing, whether it’s going down the slide, seeing the kids have fun, people enjoying food, it always makes it worth it,” said Loaiza.