SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres today announced plans surrounding Hispanic Heritage Weekend beginning Friday, September 22 and running through Sunday, September 24. The Padres will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and the independence of various Latin American countries, over the course of three days with each game featuring a different experience.
 
The festivities begin on Friday, September 22 with Fiesta in the Park presented by Verizon prior to the Padres vs. Rockies game that night. Fans will be able to enjoy authentic food and drink specials at the Park at the Park with a DJ playing a variety of Spanish music and flamenco dance performances on the Park at the Park stage. Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastélum will also be throwing the Ceremonial First Pitch as part of Friday's pregame ceremonies.
 
The celebration continues on Saturday, September 23 with Hispanic Heritage Night supported by T-Mobile. Prior to Saturday night's game, the Padres will announce the recipients of the 6th annual Comunidad Awards, which recognize and pay tribute to individuals or organizations whose work has made a positive impact on those who live and work in San Diego's Hispanic community.
 
The 2017 recipients include Yolanda Selene Meade, founding member of the Club de Niños y Niñas and Fundación Internacional de la Comunidad, in the area of youth health (LIVE); Venus Molina, board chair for Mana de San Diego, in the area of youth education (LEARN); Al Alvarado, founder of the U.S. World Baseball of San Diego team and current Padres Guest Service Representative, in the area of youth fitness (PLAY); and Special Assistant to the District Attorney Jesse Navarro in the area of military/first responders (SERVE) for his service of more than 40 years in the field of law enforcement.  
 
Salsa dancers will be on hand to perform at the Park at the Park as part of the Hispanic Heritage Night festivities. Fans are encouraged to stick around after Saturday night's game to enjoy a Hispanic Heritage-themed fireworks show set to the music of popular Spanish musical artists.
 
Hispanic Heritage Weekend wraps up on Sunday, September 24 with the season's third and final Domingos Padres presented by T-Mobile. The Padres will honor the Tijuana Toros during the pregame ceremonies in celebration of the Toros claiming the 2017 Mexican League Serie del Rey Championship. Park at the Park will also feature pregame food and drink specials along with a mariachi band on stage. The mariachi band will also perform Sunday's national anthem.
 
As part of the celebrations, the Club will host over six hundred members of various local Hispanic community groups and organizations over the weekend, and treat them to a game at the park. Players will also wear special "Ponle Acento" ("Put an Accent on It") shirts during batting practice throughout the weekend. Fans south of the border looking to attend Hispanic Heritage Weekend, or any of the remaining home games at Petco Park, can purchase tickets in Tijuana at the Toroshop retail store in Macroplaza mall.
 
A special Hispanic Heritage Weekend theme game ticket package is available for all three dates and includes a ticket in a special seating section and a limited-edition serape-themed Padres hat. For more information on the activities surrounding Hispanic Heritage Weekend, fans can visit here or here.