Latino Community

Patillas, Puerto Rico, has been named Bethlehem's sixth sister city. Puerto Ricans make up the fastest-growing segment of Latinos in the Lehigh Valley.

Several events are in the works to celebrate Latino culture across the Lehigh Valley during Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts Sunday, Sept. 15.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff played off an enthusiastic crowd at Dieruff High School to promote his wife Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.

The visit will be Doug Emhoff's second to Allentown as second gentleman. He visited the region in May 2021 to promote the Biden administration's infrastructure plan.

Students were all smiles as they feasted on pizza and hot dogs — and picked up free school supplies — at the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley on East Fourth Street in Bethlehem. It was the second year for the community event.

Raising his young children to be good citizens and leaving the door to the 2028 Olympics open just a smidge are among the topics Lehigh Valley native Darian Cruz discussed as he returned from competing in wrestling at the Paris Olympics.

Lehigh Valley's Darian Cruz lost his Olympic bronze medal bout to India's Aman Sehrawat, 13-5, on Friday evening at the Paris Olympics. Cruz, the Bethlehem Catholic and Lehigh University champion, was representing Puerto Rico in honor of his grandparents who are native to the US territory.

Bethlehem's Darian Cruz will wrestle for an Olympic bronze medal on Friday in Paris.

Local state lawmakers joined members of the Legislative Latino Caucus in Allentown on Monday to celebrate how the new state budget. Specifically, they note the more than $1.1 billion in new funding for school districts, including about $526 million to correct inequities in public education.

Heavenly Coffee Shop in Easton serves authentic paisa eats like migao, hot chocolate and cheese and buñuelos.

A new exhibition at Rigo Peralta Art Studio showcases Latino artists from across the United States and Venezuela, bringing bold technique, cultural stories and a crowded opening night to Allentown. The show will be on display through February.

At a Lehigh Valley town hall, Elizabeth DeJesus recounted her husband’s ICE detainment as experts explained immigrant rights, enforcement limits, and how the community can help through the ERN network.

The symphony kicked off the holiday season Saturday with its second annual Latin Parranda, featuring a lively piñata activity, a coquito contest and performances by Ely Dance Studio and Latin jazz/salsa ensemble Clave Legacy.

Artist Dylan Collazo's new exhibition, "When Eye Faced Myself, I Drew Blood," will debut from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Inkwell in Allentown.

Central Elementary STREAM Academy students premiered a teaser of “Passport to Puerto Rico” at the Univest Public Media Center, celebrating Puerto Rican culture with food, Bomba music and dance. The student-made film debuts on PBS39 Dec. 13.

Now in its fourth year, the awards ceremony recognized excellence across 17 categories, honoring everyone from seasoned entrepreneurs, actors, models, and filmmakers to emerging young talent. It was held at Archer Music Hall in Allentown.

Even after Hispanic Heritage Month ended, Northeast Middle School in Bethlehem was alive with the sound of salsa and the aroma of arroz con gandules during BASD’s annual Hispanic Heritage celebration.

The PA Latino Convention in Pittsburgh drew leaders to discuss housing, education, and immigrant advocacy. Easton will host the 2026 convention, highlighting the Lehigh Valley’s growing Latino community.

Puerto Rican pride was on full display Sunday as the city celebrated the first anniversary of its partnership with Patillas with a flag-raising ceremony, parade and family fun at ArtsQuest's SteelStacks campus.

"Elegance in Stone," an exhibition opening at Peralta’s studio, 1601 West Chew St., kicks off with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. and runs through Oct. 24.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lehigh Valley will hold its annual gala at the Centennial Conference Center at Homewood Suites in Center Valley.

The backpacks, filled with supplies, were distributed to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, along with free haircuts, face painting, and community support from sponsors like Unity Bank and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.