The Northern Ontario Latin-Hispanic Association (NOLHA) held its inaugural Gala Latina at The Delta Hotel Saturday evening.
Approximately 250 people enjoyed dinner, dancing and music at the event.
“Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 is considered the Latin-Hispanic Heritage Month in Canada because independence for many countries in Latin America came in September and October,” explained Sandra Mongui, gala co-organizer and NOLHA founder/chair, a native of Colombia who now calls the Sault home, speaking to SooToday.
Latin-Hispanic and non-Latin-Hispanic gala guests from the Sault, St. Joseph Island, Sudbury, Toronto and Kapuskasing attended the event, which Mongui said had been in the planning stages for a year.
“We had a lot of great sponsors for this event,” said Mongui, who estimated there are 40 Latin-Hispanic families in the Sault.
“Latin-Hispanic people embrace happiness and we like to have fun. We say ‘my house is your house,’” Mongui smiled.
The NOLHA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and celebrating Hispanic and Brazilian culture and heritage, sharing its ideas and experiences within the greater community.