Home Entertainment Events like ¡Fiesta Rojos! not only celebrate Latino heritage but also inspire young students through direct interaction with role models. It’s a great way to promote inclusivity and encourage the next generation of baseball fans and players.

Events like ¡Fiesta Rojos! not only celebrate Latino heritage but also inspire young students through direct interaction with role models. It’s a great way to promote inclusivity and encourage the next generation of baseball fans and players.

Entertainment — 09/23/2024

Reds mark Hispanic Heritage Month with days of events

The Reds held events to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month from Tuesday through Friday, culminating in their yearly Fiesta Rojos on Friday.

More than a hundred kids from Roberts Academy, the Academy of World Languages, and the Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies (AMIS) visited the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy to begin the exciting day’s programs. The children were able to release some energy on this warm Friday morning in Cincinnati thanks to music provided by local Latin radio station La Mega.

When Reds players Fernando Cruz, Elly De La Cruz, Alexis Díaz, Santiago Espinal, Noelvi Marte, and Tony Santillan entered the building, the excitement inside reached a fever pitch.

“I would be running around getting autographs and asking every question I could think of if I were them right now,” Espinal remarked. “At their age, I was in a similar situation to what they are in now. It is a greater blessing for me to be able to spend this time with them during the season.

After the VIP visitors took their seats, Jorge Merlos, a media relations assistant and Reds interpreter who speaks Spanish, held a Q&A session with the excited students and players. The players were questioned about a variety of subjects, including how they got into baseball, how long they had been in Cincinnati, what their favorite meal was, and—the most exciting question of the day—how old they were.

“They mistakenly believed that Cruz, who is 34 years old, was the youngest,” joked Espinal. “He is the eldest.”

Following the Q&A, the youngsters were divided into groups and given the chance to practice pitching, batting, and fielding with the major leaguers. One of the stations featured an introduction to salsa dance, so the entertainment went beyond baseball. Hot Head Burritos provided lunch to wrap up the field trip.

Hispanic Community Night took place at the ballpark that evening as part of the Reds’ annual Fiesta Rojos festival, carrying on the festivities. Pregame ceremonies, Son Del Caribe in the First Star Fan Zone, a DJ from La Mega outside the ballpark on Crosley Terrace, and in-game activation were among the events.

Many of the ceremonies highlighted Cincinnati’s Hispanic community, featuring participants such as the national anthem singer, the altafiber Hometown Hero, and the Kroger First Responder of the Game. Nicholas Castro, assistant dean of inclusive excellence at the University of Cincinnati’s Lindner College of Business, received the Hispanic Heritage Community Advocate Award from PNC. The Reds also showcased their traditional “Parade of Colors,” presenting flags from various nations. Students from AMIS, Roberts Academy, and AWL displayed flags representing 22 countries across Europe, the Caribbean, and North, Central, and South America, which are celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Friday marked the fourth and final game of the season for guests of the “Amigos de los Rojos” program, sponsored by Reds players Jeimer Candelario, Cruz, Díaz, Espinal, and Nick Martinez, along with former Red Frankie Montas. Their contributions provided nearly 400 fans from local Hispanic and Latino organizations with game tickets, concession vouchers, Rojos hats, and transportation for select games throughout the season.

The day was filled with events and activities, but the Reds’ Hispanic Heritage Month celebration had already begun days earlier.