Best Ways To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month In Tampa Bay

The Daily Meal Staff|Sept. 29, 2014 7:00 am EST

Hispanic Heritage Month, which goes back to 1968, is from September 15 to October 15. During this time, it is customary to recognize the contributions and achievements of Hispanic Americans and celebrate their positive impact on the United States. It is a time to celebrate culture, music, food and history of the Hispanic community. You can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month as well as support local Hispanic businesses by visiting some of the places and events listed below.

The Colombia Restaurant
2117 E. 7th Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 248-4961
www.columbiarestaurant.com/ybor.asp

The Colombia is often referred to as the "jewel of Ybor" and has been so popular that there are several satellite locations located throughout the Tampa Bay area. This gorgeous restaurant is decorated with Spanish and Cuban artwork and decor and also hosts live flamenco dancing shows nightly from Monday through Saturday. Of course, it also serves authentic Latin dishes including paella, gazpacho, empanadas and chorizo, as well as decadent desserts like flan and tres leches cake. Gluten-free and children's menus are available.

Vallarta's Mexican Restaurant
13731-37 N. Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 264-7691
www.vallartastampa.com

This independently owned and operated restaurant offers American fare as well as authentic Mexican cuisine, such as enchiladas, burritos, tacos and quesadillas. There is a wide range of choices for fillings, including steak, chicken, shrimp, grilled fish, pork and vegetarian fillings. You can also customize your meal to your taste buds' content at the toppings bar, which offers vegetable toppings like lettuce, tomatoes and peppers, shredded cheeses, a selection of salsas, guacamole and sour cream.

Hispanic Man & Hispanic Woman of the Year Gala
Hilton Tampa Downtown
211 N. Tampa St.
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 464-7603
www.tampahispanic.org

Date: Oct. 4, 2014

Who is the most influential Hispanic man and woman in the Tampa community? You'll find out at the gala, which takes place on October 4 at 6:30 p.m. Tampa Hispanic Heritage Inc. will choose one man and one woman based on their lifetime achievements including their endeavors to "advance, promote, maintain, and enhance" Hispanic heritage and have, by extension, improved the Hispanic community's quality of life. Tickets are $75 per person and include food and entertainment. Formal attire is required.

"A Look into the Life of Migrant Workers: The Struggle for Education"
USF Tampa Library Grace Allen Room
4202 E. Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL 33620
(813) 974-0306
www.news.usf.edu

Date: Oct. 14, 2014

Education is the key to a happy and successful life, and that includes children of migrant workers. This seminar takes place on October 14 from noon to 2 p.m. and is free of charge. The two-hour event will include part of the 2010 NBC News documentary "Children of the Harvest," a presentation by the Center for Migrant Education director Ann Cranston-Gingras and a panel of former child migrant workers. Attendees will learn of their experiences as young laborers fighting for educational opportunities as well as what can be done to affect change.

Exploring History
Ybor City Museum
1818 9th Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 247-6323
www.floridastateparks.org

If you're interested in the history of Cuban Americans and their role in establishing Ybor City as the cigar capitol of the world, this museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is only $4 per person. The museum hosts both permanent and visiting exhibits about the settlers that built Ybor into the thriving city it is today. Both self-guided audio tours and docent-guided tours are offered for an additional fee depending on the size of your group. The Tampa Baseball Museum that features the career of Al Lopez, an extension of the Ybor City Museum, will open to the public in late 2014.

Amanda Mole has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil and cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove. She believes that food provides more than just vital nutrients: it is an irreplaceable part of countless cultural and social activities. As a Tampa Bay resident for the past 21 years, she is well acquainted with the incredibly diverse range of restaurants, bars, and food festivals that the area has to offer. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.