News Summary
St. Petersburg is honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with community events celebrating the rich cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino residents. Highlighting the first Hispanic city council member, Lisset Hanewicz, the celebrations include events such as the ‘Hispanic Heritage Celebration’ and ‘Fiesta ‘Somos St. Pete’. These initiatives, supported by Duke Energy’s substantial contributions, aim to enhance cultural and educational opportunities for the community. The month-long celebration fosters inclusivity and reflects on the vibrant history of Hispanic culture in the city.
St. Petersburg is currently celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 with a series of community events aimed at honoring the rich cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino residents. Notably, this year’s celebrations spotlight Lisset Hanewicz, the first Hispanic city council member in St. Petersburg’s history, who was elected in November 2021.
Hanewicz, now serving as the vice chair of the city council, represents District 4 with her term set to expire in January 2027. Her role places her in a significant position within the local government, where she aims to serve as a role model for children of immigrants. Her personal journey resonates deeply with the community, as her family fled Cuba during the Freedom Flights in the 1960s. Raised in Miami and later moving to St. Petersburg, Hanewicz emphasizes the importance of education; she worked diligently to complete high school while supporting her family during the day. At the age of 30, she pursued her law degree and later began her political career as the president of the Crescent Lake Neighborhood Association in 2016.
Upcoming Community Events
The City of St. Petersburg has organized two major events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, both of which are free and open to the public. The first event, titled “Hispanic Heritage Celebration,” will take place on September 27 at the Gladden Park Recreation Center. This event will feature an array of activities, including music and dance performances, crafts, and complimentary food for the first 300 guests.
The second event, “Fiesta ‘Somos St. Pete’,” is scheduled for October 11 at the St. Pete Pier. Attendees can look forward to enjoying various Hispanic food trucks, live Latin DJ music, and a vibrant Salsa dance party. These events not only aim to promote cultural interaction but also seek to foster a sense of community and belonging.
Additional Cultural Celebrations
Another notable event in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month is the Unimos Festival, which is hosted by Tampa’s Stageworks Theatre. This festival features performances from local Latinx artists and is an additional platform celebrating Hispanic contributions to the arts and culture in the region.
Community Support Initiatives
This year’s celebration has also seen significant financial support from Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation, which has contributed $180,000 to various initiatives aimed at enhancing cultural, educational, and leadership opportunities for Hispanic and Latino community members. These grants are intended to fund college scholarships, professional development workshops, and further cultural events throughout the community, thereby enriching the overall experience of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, serves as an important time for communities across the United States to reflect on and celebrate the diverse cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino individuals. For St. Petersburg, the ongoing events and initiatives not only honor the vibrant history of Hispanic culture but also highlight the city’s dedication to inclusivity and community engagement.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Broadway Show ‘Boop!’ to Premiere in New York City
St. Petersburg Forges Economic Relationships with Latin America
Weekend Events in Tampa Bay: Festivals and Family Fun
Additional Resources
- I Love the Burg: Fiesta at St. Pete Pier
- St. Pete Catalyst: Unimos Festival
- Duke Energy: Hispanic Heritage Month Grants
- LGBTQ Nation: St. Petersburg Protesters Rally
- The Points Guy: Best Hispanic Heritage Sites
- Wikipedia: Hispanic Heritage Month
- Google Search: Hispanic Heritage Month events in St. Petersburg
- Google Scholar: Hispanic Heritage Month
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hispanic Heritage Month
- Google News: St. Petersburg Hispanic Heritage events
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
