Organizers hope the Utah Hispanic-American Festival planned for Labor Day weekend will be not only a chance to highlight Hispanic culture but also an opportunity to promote unity among all ethnic groups in the state.

Speaking Thursday at Franklin Quest Field at a ceremony to formally announce the event, Gov. Michael O. Leavitt called the festival a chance to honor and recognize the achievements and history of the fastest growing segment of Utah's population."This festival is an opportunity for us to show the world our diversity culturally," Leavitt said.

Recent state estimates show the Hispanic population increased 40 percent from 1990 to 1994. Of Utah's 2 million people, about 116,000 are Hispanics.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Ruben Ortega said the festival will not be "just another fiesta," but an event of significance for the entire Utah community.

"The number of non-Hispanics who came forward to say they wanted to be involved in this was impressive," Ortega said.

Ortega said the two-day festival was originally envisioned by the late Bill Garcia, and proceeds will be donated in his honor to help youth at risk. Garcia of Scopes, Garcia, Carlisle Advertising Inc., died in January with seven other Utahns in a plane crash northwest of Malad, Idaho.

"We felt in his honor, we should go foward and make this a success," Ortega said.

The event will feature musicians, arts, food booths and work from local and national artisans and craftsmen.

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Some of the musicians scheduled to perform include Pancho Sanchez, a Los Angeles-based conga player know for his Latin jazz music. Also appearing will be the dance group Canaveral and Salsa Brava, a Salt Lake City salsa band.

An exhibit entitled, "A Panorama of Mexican Contemporary Art" will be showcased at the event. The exhibit features oils, watercolors, drawings, sculpture, lithographs and photographs on loan from the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington.

The Mexican art exhibit will be displayed at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at 15 E. South Temple St., but other artwork will be shown at Franklin Quest Field at 1300 South and Main streets.

The festival begins Friday, Aug. 30, at 5 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. The following day, festivities will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $4 per person, $10 per family and free for children 12 and under.

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