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Ohio picks up the beat on Latino celebrations
By DAN SEWELL, Associated Press
CINCINNATI, Sept. 14, 2011 (AP): Ohio's celebrations and
observances of Hispanic Heritage Month are growing along with
its Latino population.
Organizers say more major events have been scheduled in the
state for national heritage month that begins Sept. 15 than ever
before. They range from a mass salsa dance on Cincinnati's
Fountain Square on Thursday to a statewide Hispanic Business
Summit in Columbus next month.
Ohio State University and Miami University are among state
schools hosting major events, and Middletown's annual
international festival will focus on Peru this year. The
Cincinnati Reds baseball team will highlight Hispanic players
and culture at Thursday night's game.
Cleveland's Hopkins International Airport planned to salute
Hispanic heritage Wednesday afternoon with a program including
music, art and ethnic food and a talk by Puerto Rico Secretary
of State Kenneth McClintock-Hernández.
Small but fast-growing, Ohio's Latino population increased in
the 2010 Census to 3.1 percent of statewide population, up from
1.9 percent in 2000.
The salsa dance Thursday night will aim to get into the Guinness
Book of World Records with 600 or more dancing couples at once,
organizers say. There will also be education, arts and business
events throughout the month in Ohio. Latino and non-Latino
business leaders from around the state will gather Oct. 13 at
Ohio State University for a summit featuring Javier Palomarez,
chief executive of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and
former Cincinnati Bengals' Hall of Fame football player and
businessman Anthony Muñoz.
Venezuela-born Reds player Miguel Cairo said he has
enjoyed a warm reception in his two years in Ohio.
``I see a lot of Latins here,'' he said. ``When you go out they
recognize you. It's been great.''
Online:
http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/
Contact Dan Sewell at
http://www.twitter.com/dansewell
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