Malden Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with The North Shore Hispanic Association Festival

Special to The Advocate

Rain may have dampened attendance, but it certainly didn’t dampen the spirit!

The North Shore Hispanic Association (NSHA) hosted its 9th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Maplewood Square in Malden. The event celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a tribute to Latin culture featuring live music by, The First Class Band and Miguel Beato, as well as dance performances by Luis Arango and J&L Dance Studio of Malden, who got the audience on their feet! Tables included traditional cuisine, local community groups, and the newly formed Malden High School Latin Club.

The event began with a “Grand Entrance Parade,” which included performers in traditional clothing, community members, elected officials, and the Girl and Boy Scout groups, all honoring the flags of their respective countries.

Hispanic Heritage Month is the period from September 15th to October 15th in the United States, paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. Mayor Gary Christenson and Malden’s new Superintendent Timothy Sippel welcomed attendees in both English and Spanish, and City Councillor-At-Large Karen Colón Hayes opened by thanking everyone for coming out to support our Latino community despite the gray day, emphasizing the importance of honoring representation. Juan Aurelio Lopez, who has been a public servant for four decades, serving in both the executive and legislative branches of the Municipal Government of Boston, spoke about the need to celebrate while also using our power and our vote to uplift the voices of the Latino population.

Malden Reads was present with crafts and book readings in both English and Spanish, alongside the Friends of the Malden Library, who supplied cultural books from Latin America for a dollar donation.

NSHA President Gladys Rivera Rogers thanked the members of the association and the community. Gladys, who has recently retired from her job in Boston, will now focus most of her time on increasing the presence of the NSHA in Malden and the North Shore area.

This year’s celebration was made possible by the funding raised from our annual fundraiser, which celebrates Hispanic Americans Making a Difference, with help from elected officials, including Representative Steve Ultrino.

The event was the result of the hard work of the North Shore Hispanic Association’s board and members: Gladys Rivera Rogers, Karen Colón Hayes, Mary Ellen O’Meara, Margarita Restrepo, Elena Martinez, and new volunteers Martha Valentin, Lissette Alvarado, and Iliana Rivera. A big thank you to Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria for loaning us the fantastic stage, and to Dolores Lattanzi, Jerry Navarra, Ronald Colman, Scott Martinelli, and Joe Carbo from the City of Everett, who went above and beyond in taking care of last-minute details that ensured the success of the event.

Thank you to our own Malden Police Chief Glenn Cronin and Sergeant Barthelmes, who were on hand throughout the day. We can’t forget DPW Director Bob Knox, Council President Winslow, and Frank Kelly, who saved the day by providing us with electricity to keep us moving!

The NSHA looks forward to continuing the annual event next year—save the date: Saturday, September 13th, 2025, in Maplewood Square! We are looking for new members and volunteers—please email northshorehispanicassociation@gmail.com or call 781-704-6342.