Bubble time at last year’s Salvadoran American Festival in Hempstead. (Credit: Jose Oquendo)
More than 41,000 immigrants from El Salvador call Nassau and Suffolk home, according to 2000 census data, making Salvadorans the biggest immigrant group on Long Island. Along with all those residents comes a wealth of culture: soccer, atol de elote, banana and cream empanadas, and, of course, pupusas (can’t miss a chance to link to our video on them).
Elotes making you wish it was Sunday already. (Credit: Jose Oquendo)
On August 7, you can celebrate Salvadoran music and dance along with the food and drink of the Central American nation at the 2011 Salvadoran American Day Festival in Hempstead. See the event calendar below and click here for photos from last year’s festival.
One of the quirkier highlights, aside from the festival on Sunday, will be a family event on Friday evening in Hempstead’s Kennedy Park that will feature a cast member from the classic Salvadoran children’s show Jardín Infantil. I’ve never seen the show, but it looks like good times judging by this YouTube clip:
Here’s the calendar of events:
A coalition of Long Island non-profits announces the calendar for 2011 New York Salvadoran-American Day
Thursday, August 4, 10-10:30am
The raising of the Salvadoran flag and recitation of the national anthem.
Office of the Salvadoran Consulate General in Brentwood
Friday, August 5, 5pm
Come out for pinatas, races, treasure hunts, and music. Performance by a cast member of the classic Salvadoran children’s show Jardín Infantil.
Kennedy Park 335 Greenwich St. Hempstead NY 11550
Saturday, August 6, 11am
Soccer games by New York Latin Soccer Association in honor of Sigfrido Reyes, president of the legislative assembly in El Salvador.
875 Jerusalem Ave. Uniondale NY 11553
Saturday, August 6, 5pm
Community forum with Sigfrido Reyes, president of the legislative assembly in El Salvador.
62 Nichols Ct. Suite 202 Hempstead NY 11550
Sunday, August 7, 11am
Salvadoran-American Day Festival
Music by local and international bands along with Salvadoran food vendors.
Washington y Front St. Hempstead, NY 11550
For more information, contact 516-368-1912 or email festisalva@yahoo.com
All events are free and open to the public.
Images courtesy of Jose Oquendo via Flickr.
