According to the Latino Policy and Politics Institute, Latinos are the second largest racial and ethnic group in New York state, making up 19% of the population. Members in Rochester are highlighting their heritage and sharing it with their community.

For members of Rochester’s Hispanic community, Hispanic Heritage Celebration Day is about sharing their heritage.

“You think all Latin countries are the same, but actually they’re not,” said Rose Mary Villarrubia-Izzo, community guest programmer for the Hispanic Heritage Celebration Day event at the Memorial Art Gallery. “From the costumes and the clothes they wear to the dances they have, their foods.”

“Our goal is to show everybody from Western New York all the traditions and customs of Mexico,” said Karla Slack, director and founder of Alma de Mexico Mexican folklore dance group.

“We have 70,000 Hispanics in Monroe County,” Villarrubia-Izzo said. “Rochester has over 40,000 Hispanics. That population has grown 30% in the last 10 years.”

It’s a number that only continues to grow.

“Among grandmother to mother to child and grandchild, you see generations here today,” said Villarrubia-Izzo. “They’re proud to learn about the cultures and the many individuals that are within their communities, arriving in their communities.”

They are proud to represent their communities, the way Karla does through dance.

“Being a migrant to this community, it’s like good to have the recognition of our culture that is now in the United States,” she said.

“The more you know about the people, the less we fear who we’re dealing with,” Villarrubia-Izzo said. “Because we’re all human, we’re all the same, there’s no need to fear one from the other.”

“Our Mexican community has been very welcome to the Rochester community and everybody likes our performances, our traditions, our culture,” said Slack.

“[I am] very proud,” said Villarrubia-Izzo. “That’s why we fill the house up right?”