Roland Nuñez is proud to be Hispanic.
That pride, mixed with the desire to help fulfill the needs of the Hispanic community, led Nuñez to spearhead the creation of the Hispanics of Lake County Association in 2022. During the third annual Fiesta De Las America, hosted by the association, attendees celebrated Hispanic culture with music, food, games and fashion.
Participants enjoyed a full four hours of entertainment on two separate stages — East and West — from 4 to 8 p.m July 19 at the Lake Square Mall, showcasing the wide variety of Hispanic entertainment from Mexican Dance, Merengue, Caribbean, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican classics. After the dance and musical performances, there was a international fashion show.
“This is a way to experience Hispanic culture through all the senses,” Nuñez said. “We have a lot of talent and it comes in many different forms.”
“We have people from Venezuelan culture, Cuban culture, Jamaican culture,” he said. “Everyone will be representing their culture and these are representatives right here from the community. The unity from everyone who lives together with home good items for sale.”
More than 30 Hispanic vendors highlighted the diversity among businesses from across Florida and America. While attendees enjoyed scheduled activities and meeting small business owners, artist Cailin Alainn worked on a live painting for four hours at the East Stage.
Along with hosting an annual festival and monthly social events, the association works to serve the local Hispanic community with social gatherings, workforce development programs, community outreach and multicultural awareness.
“There are many skilled, really great talented people in our community. They just have a small barrier stopping them from meeting their goals: language, transportation, housing and jobs,” Nuñez said. “By helping provide resources to those individuals, we can empower them to help fill a much needed void in the state’s workforce. We are helping the Hispanic community by connecting them to resources but by doing this work, we are helping the entire community.”
To help make informed decisions about how best to address the needs of the local Hispanic community, the association conducted a comprehensive survey in 2022 that led to a report released in 2024. That report listed health care, public safety, transportation and education as top concerns among community members. It also revealed survey participants viewed Lake County as peaceful, quiet, safe and natural, with a true small-town feel.
The third annual Fiesta De Las America served as the launching ground for the latest survey the association is conducting. Participation is anonymous and all races are welcome to participate in the survey, which will be open through December.
“The goal is just to collect as much data for the community we can,” Nuñez said.”This is so everyone can provide their voice and contribution.”
Zorayda Gallardo, a board member with the association, said that the association helps promote culture, community and connection.
“The association gives us a chance to be together and be authentic,” said Gallardo. ” We are all unique in our own ways.”
The association hosts monthly socials at different restaurants in Lake County to build networks and relationships while supporting local small businesses. There are monthly general meetings, with the next meeting scheduled for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14 via Google Meet.
To become a member of the association, interested attendees pay up to $6.25 per month or $75 a year for general membership. From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, a special discount applies for Hispanic Heritage Month, making annual membership dues $50 for those who enroll during that period.
To learn more about the Hispanics of Lake County Association, visit holca.net or call 352-432-8589.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
