Hispanic Heritage Month starts Saturday in the U.S. and in Kansas City it has officially kicked off in a big way. The largest Latino expo in the Midwest is happening this weekend at Union Station.
Union Station has hosted big parties before, but this one is more like a fiesta.
The business and consumer expo is expected to draw an estimated 30,000 people of all ages, ethnicities and will encompass all of our surrounding communities.
For the first time ever, Expo Americas comes to Kansas City and it's an expo like no other with a Latin flair.
"Union Station is a big deal, it's a beautiful place, it's a beautiful expo and I hope we do this every single year," visitor Luis Portillo said.
"It's great, very cool, I like it," visitor Anadela Molina said.
Marc Moreno is one of the founders of Expo Americas and said it was important to bring it back to Kansas City.
"Kansas City has a big influx of Latino population. People don't know that, but it's a big fast-rising part of our culture. We found this and want to embrace not only the Latino population, but the other cultures involved. So Kansas City's in the middle of the United States and this is where we will start and spread out," Moreno said.
It was a chance for local Latino businesses to show what they bring to the table. For young Latinas celebrating quinceañera, or a big coming out party at age 15, there was a fashion show with the latest trends. There was also amazing artwork from internationally known artists like Diego Rivera.
Organizers said it was all brought together at Union Station to expose others to the rich Latino culture – even young visitors like Oscar Garcia understand why the event is so important.
"I think many people should learn about our heritage and we should share it as much as we can with everyone. I think it's a great heritage and everyone should be a part of it," Garcia said.
The Expo Americas event runs until midnight Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15.
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