Last year, Glendale Community Center had food, a salsa-making competition and dancing during Hispanic Heritage Month. This year, they are expanding on that by holding a week-long celebration.

They will hold Viva La Fiesta, a celebration of Hispanic and Latino culture, from Monday, Sept. 15, to Friday, Sept. 19.

The festivities will include a dance performance and lesson, Loteria games, food, a talk on Hispanic and Latino history and culture and arts and crafts activities.

Brittany Espinoza, recreation coordinator for the Glendale Community Center, said the seniors who regularly come to the center wanted them to have the celebration.

“A majority of our seniors are Hispanic…. They’re very proud of their culture and their history… Because it’s so important to them, we decided to do a little bit more…This year, we decided just to make it a little extra special, invite more of the community to it rather just keeping it in-house,” Espinoza said.

A few of their regulars have been helping to organize dance and history talk activities.

“They stepped in and got involved. One of our seniors who loves to sing and dance, she wants to sing and dance anytime she possibly can… Another senior, he does it with everything. Anytime something like Black History Month comes up, he likes to do some kind of history piece on things like that,” Espinoza said.

Espinoza said they have a core group of between 20 to 30 seniors who come to the center almost every day, and they have formed close bonds with each other.

“It’s a really tight-knit, family atmosphere here when they come together. They know each other’s birthdays… They really like to make everything a big party and everything special for each and every one of them, including themselves… A lot of them have been coming here for quite some time. I started here in 2022. I’ve encouraged them to get more involved. They love this community. A lot of them know each other, know each other’s kids or grandkids,” Espinoza said.

Regularly, the center offers activities for seniors such as Loteria, cornhole and exercise classes. Many seniors like to socialize and participate in them together.

“These six ladies love to exercise a couple days a week. They get together every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and they exercise together. It’s not only just about keeping them active but having those connections,” Espinoza said.

The center serves lunch every day at noon. Espinoza said that many of their regulars look forward to eating together.

“Some of them don’t have family here, or they’re home alone. This is their social piece throughout the week and throughout the day,” Espinoza said.

The center also hosts an annual Senior Prom around Valentine’s Day.

Espinoza said although events such as Viva La Fiesta are designed for the seniors they serve, people of all ages can attend.

“With a lot of our senior events, they do bring their families, and sometimes they do bring their grandkids… It’s just a senior-based event. A lot of the activities are geared towards seniors, but we love it when they bring their families,” Espinoza said.

Each year, the center also hosts an all-ages Winter Wonderland in December.

Espinoza said often, seniors will often take part in other programming at the center.

“Our seniors like to volunteer at our youth events. They like to come out to our Winter Wonderland event and pass out the cookies and treats or help out with some of the crafts with the younger ones. They’re very involved in their community and the center,” Espinoza said.

The center offers regular programming for different age groups. Sometimes, seniors will participate in these activities as well.

“We run after-school programs, and we have a summer program. Our summer program pretty much takes over our center during the summer, but we still have our seniors here. We had a glow party, and the seniors came to dance with them… With our summer program, they do talent shows. Our seniors will stay and be the judges for those talent shows,” Espinoza said.

Viva La Fiesta

WHEN: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 15-Friday, Sept. 19

WHERE: Glendale Community Center, 5401 W. Ocotillo Drive, Glendale

COST: Free

INFO: glendaleaz.gov/Live/Amenities/Recreation-Centers/Community-Centers