CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE

Area residents got a chance to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday with performances by several bands on McLevy Green.

Son 7, Joey & La Banda and Orquesta Afinke performed as part of an event organized by The Puerto Rican Parade of Fairfield County and the city of Bridgeport.

Hispanic Heritage Month began Wednesday and runs through Oct. 15.

Frankie Colon, president of the parade organization, said they wanted to organize an event to get people back into the community, celebrate Hispanic cultures and also encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We’re moving forward and we want to start doing things in person,” he said.

Carol Kaliff / For Hearst Connecticut Media Joe Velez, right, and members of his Latin band, perform on the McLevy Green in Bridgeport on Saturday as part of Spanish Heritage Month. More photos on Page A6.

Carol Kaliff / For Hearst Connecticut Media Janillex Colon, left, Erica Collazo, right, and Maria Collazo, bottom, swoon to the music of Joe Velez’s Latin Band Saturday on the McLevy Green in Bridgeport in celebration of Spanish Heritage Month.