Hispanic festival

The Puerto Rican, American & Caribbean Organization (PACO) and Five Rivers MetroParks presents the 18th annual Hispanic Heritage Festival at Riverscape in downtown Dayton on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The event is open and free to the public.

As in previous years, the festival will serve as PACO’s main fundraising activity that supports charitable services and funds educational scholarships, primarily within the Hispanic community in and around Dayton. As a nonprofit organization, PACO is dedicated to the success of its community and its goal is to raise the level of multicultural awareness and achieve a higher level of community acceptance of the Hispanic/Latino culture.

The festival opens at 11 a.m. The official kickoff starts with an international parade starting at 2nd and Jefferson and ending at Riverscape. Festival goers can expect a day filled with family fun that includes plenty of children’s activities, Zumba, cultural exhibits, resource booths, food and merchandise vendors. The afternoon will be filled with various dance and musical groups and audience participation activities.

Partnering again this year with United Rehabilitation Services (URS), the event will include the annual Rubber Duck Regatta, scheduled for 4 p.m. This is URS’ annual fundraiser with rubber ducks “for adoption” that culminates in a dramatic drop of 20,000 “adopted” rubber ducks into the Great Miami River for some great prizes. One hundred percent of every duck adoption supports vital programs serving kids and adults with disabilities in our community.

For more on the festival, visit the website at pacodayton.org or facebook.com/PACODayton.