The sounds of samba and mariachi filled Goodyear Ballpark Friday night after a week-long rain delay, the city’s annual, “Ritmos y Raíces,” or “Rhythm and Roots,” celebration returned, drawing families to honor Hispanic Heritage Month through music, food and community connection.
The event, hosted by the city of Goodyear, featured Lucha Libre showcases, Ballet Folklórico performances, artisan booths, and local Hispanic-owned vendors. A colorful flag garden displayed the flags of Spanish-speaking nations alongside stories about each country’s history and culture.
Councilmember Benita Beckles opened the evening with a message of unity and gratitude.
“Rhythm and Roots is more than just an event,” Beckles told attendees. “It’s a celebration of heritage and community, an invitation to learn, to appreciate, and to enjoy the diversity that makes Goodyear such a special place to live.”
Among the local entrepreneurs showcasing their work was Lorena González, who sells work from Jabón Artesanal Joven, handmade soaps crafted from natural ingredients sourced from her family’s workshop in Mexico. Her table was filled with bars infused with herbs and oils, each wrapped in decorative paper.
“It’s fabulous, the music, the dancing, everything,” González said. “It reminds me of home. People from everywhere come to see our products, and I enjoy it every time.”
González said she’s part of a collective of Latina business owners who share space at a West Valley marketplace. Events like, “Ritmos y Raíces,” she said, give small businesses a chance to grow while celebrating their culture.
Elsewhere in the park, children posed for photos with professional wrestlers LJ Ramos and Steve Vasquez, known together as the “World’s Finest,” Tag Team Champions. Wearing their championship belts, the duo described their style as a blend of Mexican Lucha Libre, American and Japanese wrestling, calling their style and the community they were celebrating as a melting pot.
“Wrestling is a universal language,” Vasquez said. “You don’t have to speak English or Spanish to understand it, everyone connects through the story. For us, it’s about giving back. Not every kid will meet Superman, but they can meet us. We want to be that inspiration.”
The festival also drew young attendees like Nico Hamilton, a student at Estrella Mountain Community College, who said they come to city events like this to reconnect with their roots.
“I’m Latino, but I haven’t always been able to connect with the community as much as I’d like,” Hamilton said. “These events help me do that, the food, the vendors, the performances. It’s a great way to support each other.”
Hispanic Heritage Month, observed nationally from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, honors the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
For Goodyear, “Ritmos y Raíces,” has become a cornerstone celebration, one that transforms the city’s ballpark into a hub of community pride.
Visit goodyearaz.gov for more information on upcoming community events.
James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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