Semana Latina

Celebration of Latin culture leads up to Cinco de Mayo

Beginning Saturday, April 29, through Friday, May 5, several events celebrating Latino culture have been organized by La Paz Chattanooga.

Semana Latina, as this special programming is called, has been produced in partnership with organizations from across the area in recognition of the city’s growing Latino population.

It is projected that by 2020, Latinos will make up nearly 15 percent of Chattanooga’s total population, a 500 percent increase over two decades, according to data from La Paz. While the local Latino population comes from a variety of locales in Latin America, the largest segments are from Mexico and Guatemala.

For more information about Semana Latina or La Paz, call 624-8414. › Saturday, April 29: East Lake Book Fiesta, hosted by East Lake Language and Arts Organization, East Lake Park, 3190 E. 34th St., time to be determined.

Book Fiesta is a literacy event celebrating Children’s Day/ World Book Day, and is based on “Book Fiesta,” written by Pat Mora and illustrated by Rafael Lopez.

› Sunday, April 30: Get Up Close with Latin American Animals at the Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

See animals native to Central and South America. Coupons for discounted tickets are available at La Paz office.

Schedule of special programs: 10 a. m., hyacinth macaw presentation; 2: 30 p. m., butterfly release; 3 p. m., Animals of Latin America; 4 p.m. electric eel feeding.

› Sunday, April 30: Dia de los Ninos, Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. › Monday-Tuesday, May 1-2: No activities › Wednesday, May 3: Latino Day at the Ballpark, Chattanooga Lookouts, AT& T Field, 201 Power Alley, 7: 15 p. m., Lookouts vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos, purchase discounted general- admission tickets at the La Paz office for $5 per person.

› Thursday, May 4: International Celebration and Potluck Dinner for Chattanooga’a ESL Community, Orchard Knob Elementary School, 2000 E. 23rd St., 6- 8: 30 p.m.

Relaxed, i nformal gathering to s hare a meal a nd c o nversation. Sponsoring organizations are La Paz Chattanooga, Hamilton County Department of Education, Chattanooga School of Language, Hamilton County Baptist Association, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga a nd Tennessee College of Applied Technology.

› Friday, May 5: Latino Family Festival and Cinco de Mayo Day, Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Enjoy Latin music, animal enrichment programs and a Dora the Explorer scavenger hunt.

STAFF PHOTO BY DOUG STRICKLAND As part of Semana Latina, Latino Day at the Ballpark will be held Wednesday, May 3, when the Chattanooga Lookouts play the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at 7:15 p.m.