Football Fiesta

Words by Ambar Ramirez

Sept. 15 marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, a month dedicated to recognizing Hispanic culture’s contributions and influences on the United States. As fate would have it, Sept. 15 also marks the first Jaguars home game. So naturally, the Duuuval House is getting ready to throw the biggest Latin tailgate to date with Vince Caicedo and the Bryant Strong Foundation. 

“I would say, you know, especially in the last five years we’ve seen tremendous growth where we have, you know, thousands of families moving here for many reasons. One of them is affordability, the other one I would say is opportunities,” Caicedo shared. “There’s a lot of families from South Florida that are moving here to the Northeast. But I think Jacksonville is now starting to be known as a great city for Hispanic families to live a good life.”

Caicedo, a mortgage professional and radio host at Latina 92.1 FM and Flow 105.3 FM, credits this growth within the Hispanic community not only to affordable housing but also to groups like his own that actively work to include the Hispanic community through events that celebrate their culture.

“You’re starting to see a lot of difference and a lot of folks really kind of step up in having the Hispanic voice heard a little bit more,” Caicedo said. “There’s more of an effort to include the Hispanic community in the city than there ever has been. So we are hosting a tailgate to raise funds for the Bryant Strong Foundation. And during the same game, we’re also hosting another tailgate with the Jaguars, and this is to bring [about] 250 families that have never had the opportunity to go to a Jaguars game.”

Last year, the Duuuval House teamed up with Caicedo for their inaugural Latin Tealgate, and it was such a hit that they’re bringing it back this year. However, the celebration won’t be confined to the teal house next to the stadium. Recognizing the success of last year’s Latin tailgate, Pablo Diaz de Sandi, Vice President of Voice of the Member at VyStar Credit Union, decided to extend the festivities right to the stadium itself.

“The Jaguars have shown a level of support and commitment to the Hispanic community that I have not seen from other organizations in Northeast Florida. This event is the first time we have included the community event aspect to bring 250 people from the community to the game with the help from the Jaguars,” Diaz de Sandi shared. “The event is a full fiesta’!’ We will have live music by a local Hispanic band called Baba Caiman. Local Hispanic businesses have come together to pitch in so that we can also provide food from Agave Azul and from Latin Creations for the attendees. VyStar is providing free parking and Jacksonville Transportation Authority will help with the transportation from the downtown garage to the stadium and back.”

With the Duuuval House teaming up with Caicedo to raise funds for the Bryant Strong Foundation, a nonprofit that supports families battling childhood cancer, and VyStar offering discounted tickets to Hispanic families who have never had the chance to attend a game, it promises to be a day to remember.