SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres today announced plans surrounding Hispanic Heritage Weekend beginning Friday, September 20 and running through Sunday, September 22. 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 event begins on Friday, September 20 with Fiesta in the Park presented by Verizon prior to the Padres vs. Diamondbacks game that night. Fans will be able to enjoy live music along with $5 food and drink specials at the Park at the Park. Upon entering Petco Park, folklorico dancers and mariachi performers will greet fans at different ballpark entry gates. Various Catrina dolls - symbolic Día de los Muertos dolls measuring seven to fifteen feet tall – will be displayed on loan from the La Vista Memorial Park throughout the ballpark for fans to visit and take pictures with. 

The festivities continue Saturday, September 21 with a Hispanic Heritage Night celebration. Prior to Saturday night’s game, Mexican rock band, Kinky, will perform a free concert presented by Budweiser at the Sycuan Stage in the Park at the Park. The concert is open to all fans with a paid ticket to that night’s game. As part of the pregame ceremonies, retired Mexican professional wrestler, Rey Misterio Sr., will throw Saturday’s Ceremonial First Pitch. Misterio, a member of the Tijuana Sports Hall of Fame, is the uncle of current WWE wrestler Rey Mysterio. Eduardo Ortega, the Spanish-language voice of the Padres, will also announce the night’s starting lineups in Spanish during the pregame festivities.

The Padres will also announce the recipients of the 8th annual Comunidad Awards during Saturday’s pregame ceremonies, 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 2019 recipients include Alejandro Martin Del Campo, a brain tumor survivor who now dedicates his time to serving and inspiring youth and adult patients on both sides of the border, in the area of youth health (LIVE); Rachael Ortiz, founder of Barrio Station, a youth center located in Barrio Logan that unifies and greatly impacts at-risk youth, in the area of youth education (LEARN); Ernie Lucero, district administrator of Little League California District 42 that has sent five teams in the last eleven years to the Little League World Series, in the area of youth fitness (PLAY); and Mery Lopez-Gallo in the area of military/first responders/community service (SERVE) for her continued dedication to her community by using her platform to continually finding ways to give back and acting as a resource for other Latino community leaders.  

Hispanic Heritage Weekend wraps up on Sunday, September 22 with folklorico dancers, mariachi performances and Catrina dolls on display. KidsFest presented by Chick-fil-A will also take place at the Park at the Park and feature bounce houses and other inflatables, games, face painters, balloon artists and more kid-friendly activities. Players will also wear special “Ponle Acento” (“Put an Accent on It”) shirts during batting practice throughout the weekend. 

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 Hispanic-themed Padres hat. For more information on the activities surrounding Hispanic Heritage Weekend, fans can visit www.padres.com/quepadre or www.padresbeisbol.com/quepadre.