LAWRENCE — Latin flags danced between carnival rides as another successful Semana closed with its grand finale Sunday.
People found the fun and games at Campagnone Common over the weekend as Semana Hispana 2026 wrapped up, ending another year of Lawrence’s annual weeklong celebration of Hispanic heritage.
The downtown green became a colorful gathering place filled with music, food, dancing and pride for plenty of nations across the world.
From noon to 10:45 p.m. each day since Friday, the common was brimming with activity as families hopped on rides, tested their luck at games, and stopped to watch dancers and musicians do their thing.
Residents and visitors strolled through the festival grounds with the sounds of live entertainment mixing with cheers from carnival attractions.
La Semana Hispana, or Hispanic Week, has been a tradition in Lawrence since 1979 when a group of Hispanic leaders founded the event to promote cultural awareness and celebrate the richness of their heritage.
The festival serves as a show closer to highlight the customs, traditions and cultures of Latin American countries that have strong representation throughout the city.
This year’s theme, “Our Rebirth as Latin Americans in Lawrence,” was showcased with every example of community celebration and pride in one’s identity.
It all kicked off July 24. There was a VIP dinner at The Elks Lodge followed by several cultural nights that each honored a different nation. Haiti, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico were among the many in the spotlight.
Those celebrations segued into the three-day carnival, where each corner of Campagnone Common displayed the festival’s focus on culture.
The pleasing odor of traditional foods baked from generational family recipes filled the air. Families gathered beneath tents with national colors, while local bands and talent delivered a soundtrack for the afternoon.
“The community support has always been No. 1 for us,” said Gery Lopez, president of Semana Hispana.
In previous years, Semana Hispana was held in June, but this summer brought the festivities to late July. Lopez said the schedule change was intended to allow the parade to take place later in the season when families would not be preoccupied with Father’s Day plans.
Organizers said the later dates would provide warmer, drier weather. Although rain persisted throughout much of last week, the forecasts did little to discourage visitors as Lopez described the turnout as “perfect.”
For Lopez, the cultural expression remains the centerpiece of Semana Hispana. She attributes the power of such an event to her own family.
“The cultural nights are the heart of the celebrations,” she said. “We want our countries, our customs, our people to continue this legacy.”
Lopez, who has a Haitian and Dominican background, said she hopes future generations develop that same appreciation for their heritage. She pointed to her granddaughter and said she wants her to grow up in a community that shows pride for its roots.
As the finale wrapped up and families filtered out, another successful celebration of Lawrence’s long-running tradition ended Sunday.