Mayor J. Douglas Hendrix issued a proclamation on April 13, 2026, recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, and the city is inviting residents to a festival on October 3 at 1145 Salisbury Road. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include folklórico dancing, food, live entertainment and a beauty pageant.
The proclamation, detailed in a post from City of Statesville NC, recognizes the histories, cultures, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. An April 13, 2026, proclamation by Mayor J. Douglas Hendrix mentions the Alliance for Latino Advocacy & Success, known as ALAS, in a whereas clause, according to the City of Statesville.
ALAS is identified in the city's proclamation. Available source material does not detail the organization's legal status, location, programming, funding or volunteer structure.
What's on the Festival Lineup
The October 3 festival's special performances feature Ballet Folklórico Mis Raíces and Mexican Tradition from Greensboro, as reported by the Hickory Daily Record. Food offerings will accompany family activities and art showcases spread across the grounds.
Entertainment will also include a beauty pageant. The event's promotional flyer lists folkloric dancing, art showcases and family activities as core attractions, alongside music and live entertainment.
A Civic Hub With a History of Public Events
The festival will be held at 1145 Salisbury Road. Available coverage does not detail the venue's broader civic history or prior events.
The mid-September start date for the national observance was not chosen at random. September 15 marks the independence anniversaries of five Latin American nations — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua — with Mexico's independence day following on September 16 and Chile's on September 18, the City of Statesville explains. National Hispanic Heritage Month itself traces back to Public Law 100-402, signed by President Ronald Reagan on August 17, 1988, which changed the observance to a 31-day period beginning September 15 and ending October 15, according to records published on GovInfo.
Why the Celebration Resonates Locally
The festival's timing coincides with meaningful shifts in Statesville's population. Hispanic or Latino residents made up approximately 14.9% of the city's population in 2024, representing about 4,450 people, according to data reported by Data USA. That same data shows non-Hispanic white residents comprised roughly 52% of the city and Black residents about 26% in 2024.
Zooming out to the county and state levels, broader demographic context offers a comparison for Statesville's local share.
The City of Statesville published a Hispanic Heritage Month post on September 14. The October 3 gathering at 1145 Salisbury Road is presented as a cultural celebration.
