Trinity University Hosted El Mercado Event

The San Antonio campus celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with local artisans and cultural performances.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Hispanic

Bold vector editorial illustration of colorful ceramic pottery and woven textiles on a table, representing a cultural heritage market. — Trinity University held its annual El Mercado event on September 16, highlighting local Latino artisans and cultural traditions in San Antonio. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Trinity University hosted its El Mercado event on September 16 to celebrate the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. The gathering showcased local vendors, non-profits, and student organizations to highlight the diversity of the Latino community.

Why it matters

The event served as a platform for cultural preservation by connecting older generations with local students. It emphasized the importance of identity and tradition within the broader San Antonio community.

The dance group Las Abuelitas de Oro currently features 14 dancers aged 66 to 87, up from their founding group of 4. They work with approximately 40 students from Hawthorne Academy to teach traditional baile folklórico.

The players

Trinity University

This private university is located in San Antonio and serves as a center for academic and cultural programming.

Las Abuelitas de Oro

This dance group promotes cultural preservation by teaching traditional baile folklórico to children.

Stefanie Hernandez

She is a local artisan and the founder of the business Happy Mama Designs.

Hawthorne Academy

This local school partners with dance groups to provide extracurricular cultural enrichment for students.

The details

The event featured performances by Las Abuelitas de Oro, a troupe that utilizes storytelling and weekly dance practices to pass on language and culture to youth. Local artisan Stefanie Hernandez, who founded Happy Mama Designs in 2014, was also among the vendors participating in the celebration.

2014: Stefanie Hernandez founded Happy Mama Designs.
2021: Las Abuelitas de Oro was founded.
September 16, 2026: Trinity University hosted El Mercado.

Culture Shift

This event follows the national observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, reflecting a wider trend of local institutions fostering intergenerational connections. Such gatherings highlight a growing societal focus on preserving cultural identity through community-based education and storytelling.

Residents in San Antonio can engage with local artisans and cultural groups like Las Abuelitas de Oro to experience regional traditions firsthand. These events provide families with direct access to educational opportunities that support the preservation of local heritage.

The takeaway

Community-led initiatives that combine arts and mentorship offer a tangible way for different generations to share cultural values. Residents can look for similar local programs that focus on teaching traditional skills to foster stronger neighborhood connections.