Gettysburg Celebrates Latinx Community in 13th Annual Salsa on the Square
Butterflies fill the town center in light of the event’s partnership with the Butterfly Coalition (Photo Mary Frasier/The Gettysburgian)
By Alicia Method, Contributing Writer
Bodies moving in time to fast-paced music, the smell of food wafting in the air, large paper butterflies bobbing on top of vendor’s tents. Project Gettysburg-León’s 13th annual Salsa on the Square united townspeople and college students in a massive event last Friday evening in the town square.
Salsa on the Square began in an effort to celebrate Gettysburg’s partnership with León, Nicaragua and the immense presence of the Latinx community here in Gettysburg. The project is fulfilling a long-standing relationship between Gettysburg and Leon as well as creating a unique bonding moment between the college and town.
Maggie Halpin ’22, the Project Program Coordinator for the college noted that the event is a “really great way to recognize the importance of the Latinx community here and just have a fun time”.
The exciting night featured dancing, food trucks, and live performances from both a band and dancers. Unfortunately, a number of food trucks had dropped out late causing some difficulties for the planners, however they were still able to secure two for the hungry attendees. For music, the event offered songs played by Hector Rosado and his Orquesta A-CHE as well as DJ Solalinda, both of whom have played almost every year.
The evening included unique presentations of Nicaraguan culture through a traditional dance and sawdust painting exhibit in Waldos & Company. After putting together a painting of a butterfly, those in Waldos destroyed the art to symbolize that nothing is permanent.
Onstage, onlookers witnessed a dance battle between La Gigatona, a tall female character who represents colonizers, and a short man representing Nicaraguans. The characters danced to drums and a reading. The reading was a story of immigrants, specifically honoring the power of undocumented immigrants.
This year’s Salsa on the Square was especially noteworthy in its focus on immigration. In partnership with the Butterfly Coalition, butterflies were seen everywhere as well as the children’s table, where children could put together their own colorful butterflies.
It was also a meaningful year due to the delegation from Nicaragua that is here in Gettysburg. Three artists from the Xuchialt School of Art are visiting campus and hosting many events. These students participated in the sawdust painting and the traditional dance.
One student participant, Olha Oliynyk ’23 noted, “I think it’s a great event that’s very appreciative of a culture”.
Last Friday’s Salsa on the Square saw a 50 percent increase in profit from previous years as well as over two thousand attendees. The event was entirely run by volunteers, including sixty student volunteers who helped make the special event possible and as successful as it was. Members of the community and college students joined together in the dancing and celebration.
