A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage in Clarksburg, West Virginia

Clarksburg, West Virginia held its second annual Fiesta Hispana, organized by the grassroots group Conexión Hispana to mark Hispanic Heritage Month. The event featured food vendors, salsa lessons, and traditional dance performances, drawing a Hispanic community that makes up just 2% of the state's population.

Organizers and a local Spanish teacher described the event as both a cultural celebration and a bridge-building effort, with students performing traditional songs and dances and a local priest describing how learning Spanish helped him connect with his congregation. A university study cited in the piece found chronic underfunding of language programs statewide.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.