TYLER, Texas — Sept. 15 marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month -- a monthlong celebration where CBS19 will be highlighting different Hispanic cultures across the East Texas community.
"We’ll be full of magic, full of tradition – our language, our culture," said Lilia Aparicio, coordinator for the Inaugural Hispanic Heritage Gala.
It's a culture, she said, is vital in this diverse community.
"To stand up – stand up and make a conscious that we are important," Aparicio said.
That's why these women helped organize the inaugural Hispanic Heritage Gala, which will take place inside the Tyler Rose Museum ballroom and feature local artists representing more than two dozen countries.
The organizers of the this event said they're going to "tirar la casa por la ventana," which literally means they’re going to house out of the window – a figurative language in the Hispanic culture meaning it’s going to be a big celebration.
"Tomorrow will be full of surprises. We will have traditional Mexican dances, princesses walking on stage doing a fashion show, also traditional Mexican and other Latin American communities will also be participating in the event such as mariachis and many more," said Hilia Gama, host for the event.
The ballroom will be filled with people, and food and decorations that reflect the East Texas community.
"Today, I can make a difference," Aparicio said, adding she hopes to close the gap between people. "Unity...definitely unity. We can work together."
And by working together as one community, they were able to pull off this event.
"If it wasn’t for them, if it wasn’t for everyone that’s doing the least to the most, this event would not be possible. This event is to give back to the community," Gama said.
"Come and know our culture, our music, mariachi, baile folkorico, the fashion show, this face, this face, my face … all the faces that will be at this event," Aparicio said.
This is just one of many personal stories we'll be covering now through Oct. 15. We would love to share your stories, pictures and videos all month long using #ETXUNIDOS.