Tehama County Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

What started as a week-long celebration in 1968, morphed into a month-long celebration 20 years later. Since then, “America celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America,” - National Hispanic Heritage Month.

While most month-long celebrations begin the first of the month and end the last day of the month, Hispanic Heritage Month is different. This celebration begins in the middle of the month, September 15th, and goes through October 15th. Why? September 15 is the anniversary of the independence of Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Other days commemorated and celebrated include:

• Mexico’s Independence Day - September 16th
• Chile’s Independence Day - September 18th
• Dia de la Raza (Race Day) - October 12th

Araceli Gutierrez’s Personal Call-to-Action

According to the 2020 Census, Tehama County’s population is 25.6% Latino/Hispanic. With a quarter of the population being Latino/Hispanic, it stands to reason why Event Coordinator, Araceli Gutierrez, rolled up her sleeves to help Tehama County have its first Hispanic Heritage Month celebration last year. This year, Gutierrez is at it again.

We asked why she was so passionate about making this happen. She said, “I was born and raised in Tehama County. I want to educate our children and community about the rich culture here and keep our cultural traditions alive. Hispanic Heritage is a much-needed celebration to help bring unity and art and bridge the gap between the Hispanic/Latino community with local resources and organizations. These events also help local businesses and vendors expand their service to the Hispanic/Latino audience.”

Gutierrez’s goal is to have celebratory events each weekend during the month-long celebration. For 2023, she is well on her way.  

This year’s theme is Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America. Gutierrez is hopeful that having celebratory events and conversations during this time will motivate, uplift, inspire, and empower the community to be the change they want to see. She advocates stepping up and doing the work no one wants to do. Her motto is, “If you believe in something, do it! When you have a passion for something, make it happen!” Gutierrez is following the theme of driving progress in Tehama and surrounding counties. 

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your community at these local and neighboring events:

Friday, September 15, 2023 - Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Civic Center Auditorium Fountain in Redding
Sunday, September 17, 2023 - 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration 
Sunday, October 15, 2023 - 1st Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, Redding

Tehama County Economic Development would like to thank all of the businesses that helped put on Red Bluff’s 2nd annual event:

• Driscolls
• Carlitos Mexican Restaurant
• Shasta College
• Imports Auto Repair
• Imports Auto Repair
• Gonzalez Jumpers
• Erika’s Decor
• Panaderia Reyes
• Kaloca’s Mexican Grill
• Latino Outreach of Tehama County
• Serf and Javi Mexican Restaurant
• Win-River Casino and Resort
• Kevin’s Donuts
• Walker Printing
• Adventist Health
• Greenville Rancheria
• Redding Rancheria
• Dos Amigos Meat Market
• Red Bluff Tehama Chamber of Commerce

To the city officials and representatives, thank you! Your work and support does not go unnoticed:

• Tom Westbrook, City Manager
• J. R. Gonzales, Councilmember 
• Matt Rogers, Tehama County’s District Attorney
• Matt Hansen, Tehama County Supervisor
• Red Bluff Police Department
• Red Bluff Parks and Recreation

“Our community event is blessed to have these amazing sponsors. I am thankful to have all of their support,” Araceli Gutierrez.

If you’d like to make a donation for any of the upcoming events, contact Araceli Gutierrez Marketing & Consulting LLC at 530-840-1422