Pocono Latin Fest | Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Pocono Latin Fest in East Stroudsburg

A rich diversity of different cultures makes up the vibrant Hispanic community in the Poconos, and Hispanic residents who now call the region home share their talents and traditions at many area businesses and festivals and events. Every year, Pocono Latin Fest is dedicated to bringing the sights, sounds, and flavors of Latin America to the heart of the Poconos! Browse local vendors, savor a wide variety of Hispanic food, and watch live entertainment during the 11th annual Pocono Latin Fest on Friday, September 27, 2024 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the College Circle at East Stroudsburg University. Enjoy great dance performances, DJs, and more!

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the streets of downtown Stroudsburg are lined with with the flags of over 20 different Hispanic countries. Learn more about a few of the countries that Pocono residents hail from in the Hispanic Heritage Month segment below from Pocono Television Network.

Hispanic Restaurants in the Pocono Mountains

Food is an essential element of any culture, and Hispanic Heritage Month in the Pocono Mountains is the perfect opportunity to try unique cultural dishes, expand your palate, and find a new favorite meal! You love tacos and nachos, but have you tried llapingachos or encebollado? These cheesy potato patties and citrus-based fish soup are just two of the Ecuadorian classics on the menu at Bluefoot Cuisine. Sample papas rellenas, a meat-filled potato dish, and maduros, sweet plantains, at El Cocinero Hispanic Restaurant which specializes in Dominican cuisine. In the mood for dessert? Emilio's Place Restaurant serves up flan and tres leches. From Portuguese BBQ at Churrasqueria La Morena BBQ to elote, Mexican Corn on the Cob, at Tacos Los Morros, discover even more ethnic favorites throughout the Poconos including Cinco Ninos, Del Tacos, and Los Tres Amigos. Don't forget to check each restaurant's menu for the most up-to-date menu!

Llama Ice Cream, located on the southern end of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA), scoops up exotic fruity flavors like tamarind, cherimoya, and guanabana. Owner Julio Amenero shares his journey from Peru to the Poconos and how his business, run alongside his wife Celia from Argentina, has grown in the Pocono Television Network segment below.

Try a lesser-known side of Mexican cuisine at La Posada & Felix’s Cantina in Milford, on the northern end of DWGRNA. Manager Miguel Gonzalez shares how the dishes are cooked and served with a helping of love, heritage, happiness, and family in the Pocono Television Network segment below. Inspired by his Mayan roots, he brings the taste of the Yucatan, fused with Spanish traditions and Middle Eastern flavors, to the shores of the Delaware River. Visitors can also enjoy Salsa Night events and live music at the restaurant or even stay overnight in the colorful accommodations at La Posada Inn.

Get to Know Our Community

Pocono Television Network co-host Christina Luna caught up with members of the Hispanic Poconos community at a recent Pocono Latin Fest: hear their songs and stories in the segment below.

Hispanic community members are a valued part of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau family! Learn more about what Hispanic heritage means to Pocono Television Network co-host Christina Luna and local partner and national speaker Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez.

“Living in the Poconos has given me the opportunity to be enriched by learning about different traditions, meeting people of other Hispanic countries, and building multicultural friendships. Our local restaurants are a travel adventure through Peru, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Republic Dominican, Mexico ,El Salvador, and Colombia.”

- Christina Luna

"Hispanic Heritage Month presents a fun and educational opportunity for people and institutions to celebrate traditions such as food and music, as well as honor the important contributions of Hispanic/Latinos across sectors to the beautiful diversity that makes up the United States. This demographic group includes 20+ countries which means they share cultural similarities but also represent differences and variations. For example, language is a shared cultural aspect, but the dialects vary by country of origin, so a word can be well received by one group and viewed as derogatory by another. Continued interest and engagement will help non-Hispanics/Latinos to learn more about the 62+ million people who identify as Hispanic/Latino and reside in this country, as well as to enjoy their rich culture. "

- Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez

Explore our area to dive deeper into the vibrant small towns and communities in the Poconos, and learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Be sure to check our upcoming events calendar to join more area celebrations of heritage and culture. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month from the Pocono Mountains!