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Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, on the National Mall, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Maru Montero Dance Company (MMDC) presented the annual National Cinco de Mayo Festival. The Cinco de Mayo celebration is in support of LULAC’s health education initiative, Latinos Living Healthy which is focused on addressing Latino health disparities in this country.
The Cinco de Mayo Festival also included live performances throughout the day which featured salsa, Mexican folk dancing, mariachis, and other dances. The children’s pavilion hosted arts and crafts where young people made piñatas, built dancing puppets, and played lotería (Mexican bingo) to win prizes.
With support from the Walmart Foundation, this particular Cinco de Mayo provided a unique opportunity for the Latino community to celebrate Latino culture with healthy food options, health screenings, physical activity, and free healthy cooking demonstrations --- all meant to raise awareness of the health disparities faced by Latinos.
Throughout the day, free HIV, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings; along with comprehensive weight assessment testing were offered. Celebrity Chef Daniel W. Thomas provided healthy cooking tips during live cooking demonstrations. Other highlights included exhibitors who distributed free information regarding preventable illnesses; and trained chiropractors who provided free services to the public.
“The obesity epidemic in this country is predominately among the underserved and minority communities,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “Our partnership with Walmart provides the opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of healthy living and provide access to critical resources to our community.”
“We are excited to be able to share a taste of Latino culture on the grounds of the National Mall, which is a very special place for all Americans and the world,” said Maru Montero, President of MMDC. “This is a day that all Latinos can show pride in our culture and give something back to the nation that is our home.”
About MMDC: Founded in 1992, the Maru Montero Dance Company (MMDC) is the leading Latin dance company in the nation’s capital, performing Mexican folk, cha-cha, mambo, salsa, tango, and many other dances from Latin America. The company, founded by former Ballet Folklórico de México lead dancer Maru Montero, is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to promoting the joy and beauty of Latino culture in the United States. MMDC performs at venues around the district and offers a wide selection of Latin American dance programs. The company is supported by donations, fees for performances, the Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. On the web: marumontero.com.
About LULAC: The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.
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