Henderson parade to celebrate Hispanic heritage

Spotlighting more than 21 countries and cultures, the Hispanic International Day Parade is scheduled to return to the city of Henderson for its 13th annual celebration.

The parade is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 26 in the Water Street District.

Parade organizer Margarita Rebollal knows firsthand the importance of preserving culture.

“I was born in Puerto Rico but raised in South Bronx,” she said. “I learned how to blend my Puerto Rican culture with my American culture.”

Now she is hoping to instill that same mindset into other people.

“More and more people were coming from different countries but couldn’t identify with their cultures,” she said. “We are all united by the same language, but we have distinctive and unique cultures.”

According to data from the 2010 U.S. Census, Clark County’s population is 29.7 percent Hispanic, and Henderson’s is 14.9 percent Hispanic.

Rebollal said the parade started in 2000. It has since turned into a nonprofit called the Hispanic International Parade of Nevada Inc., which is dedicated to showcasing the strength and diversity of the Hispanic community.

Rebollal added that the parade comes out of the organization Community Services of Nevada, which provides families with assistance in foreclosure prevention.

After years in Las Vegas, Rebollal said the organization was looking for a change.

“I asked Councilwoman (Gerri) Schroder if Henderson would like to have a Hispanic Day parade,” she said. “She loved the idea.”

It has been in Henderson the last three years.

“It’s nice to have another cultural offering in Henderson that can educate the community and bring them down to Water Street,” said Kathy Blaha, a spokeswoman for the city of Henderson.

An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 have attended previous events.

“Moving locations was kind of like starting over,” Rebollal said. “We have seen it grow, though.”

Rebollal said the parade usually falls on the second Saturday of October to culminate Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts Sept. 15 and ends Oct. 15. Due to scheduling conflicts this year, it had to be pushed back.

The parade is scheduled to travel along Water Street from Ocean Avenue to Victory Road with floats representing different countries.

“The floats have gotten more creative over the years,” Rebollal said. “They have gotten really competitive.”

She added that there are first-, second- and third-place prizes for best float, high school band and dance group.

The JROTC from Centennial High School has been in attendance at every parade, she said.

“They are the only high school that has come out to each one,” Rebollal said.

Last year, there were 68 floats in the parade. Because of the date change, Rebollal thinks there might be a drop in that number this year.

Last year’s parade honored returning military veterans.

“This year’s parade is dedicated to the Americas,” Rebollal said, referring to North, South and Central America.

Representatives from some of the consulates are expected to attend.

Along with the parade, the event is expected to include food, vendors and entertainment.

Food and entertainment are scheduled for after the parade in Justice Court Park next to the Henderson Municipal Court, 243 S. Water St.

For more information, visit hispanicparadelv.org.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 702-387-5201.