Sunday's Sabor Latino Festival celebrates Hispanic heritage and culture

Beaufort County will celebrate the area's Latino heritage Sunday with the 10th annual Sabor Latino Festival at the Shelter Cove Community Park on Hilton Head Island.

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 16, the event will feature food, dance and cultural exhibits from countries including Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Argentina and Peru.

"It's not only for the Hispanic community, but a great opportunity that's open for all to celebrate Hispanic culture, heritage and traditions," said Luis Bell, executive director of the Hilton Head-based Latin American Council of South Carolina.

The free event has drawn as many as 6,000 attendees from South Carolina and Georgia, said Margaret Gray, co-owner of La Isla Magazine, an event sponsor.

Proceeds from food and alcohol sales go to nonprofit groups that support the Hispanic community.

Bell, a native of Costa Rica, said the event is a convergence of different Latin American cultures to educates people about each.

"The purpose is to display the multi-cultural diversity that is now the new demographic structure of this area," he said.