Olympia proclaims Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month; organizers outline Lula Fest plans

The Olympia City Council on Sept. 9 adopted a proclamation recognizing Sept. 15–Oct. 15, 2025, as Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month. Speakers from Lula Fest and the Washington State Latino Leadership Network described festival plans and the event’s role in promoting visibility and community unity.

Miguel Panetta, CEO of Lula Fest, told the council the festival will be Sept. 27 on a footprint similar to Summerfest—Franklin to Capitol, Legion to Fourth—running 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Panetta said the festival will include a car show, beer garden, two performance stages, family activities with South Sound YMCA, vendor partners and state agencies providing information about workforce and careers.

Jose Romo Ramirez, representing the Latino Leadership Network, thanked the council and said the network’s mission to “invest, inspire and serve Latino workforce and leaders” aligns with Lula Fest’s goals. Several council members praised organizers and highlighted city efforts to shift event decision-making toward community leadership.

Mayor Pro Tem Nguyen and Councilmember Gilman commended organizers and staff member Olivia Salazar Debrau for stewardship of the event. The council read and signed the proclamation and posed with festival organizers for photographs. No funding action was taken at the meeting; the appearance was ceremonial and focused on partnership and outreach.

Panetta and Romo Ramirez also noted partners including the Capitol Theater and the Olympia Timberland Library; the city’s proclamation reaffirmed Olympia’s sanctuary-city stance and the council’s support for accessibility and inclusion for Hispanic and Latinx community members.