Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Lions announced they are transforming Pride Plaza, their free pre-game tailgate on Brush Street, into Plaza de los Leones presented by Bud Light to recognize Latino Heritage Month during their Week 2 regular season game at Ford Field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The event will take place from 10 AM to 1 PM, with Angela Reyes, Executive Director of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC), serving as the emcee for Latino heritage programming.

Plaza de los Leones presented by Bud Light will feature traditional dance performances, live music, interactive activities, and informative discussions on Latino culture. Highlights include:

- Ballet Folklorico Detroit: This traditional Mexican youth dance group will perform with the Detroit Lions drumline Honolulu Boom along Adams Street at 10:30 AM and later in the Gate A Atrium with Honolulu Boom and the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders.

- Salsa & Bachata Dance Lessons: Fans can participate in 15-minute Salsa lessons at 11:05 AM and Bachata lessons at 11:40 AM on stage, taught by Mino Bachatero.

- Mariachi Femenil Detroit: Detroit's first all-female mariachi band will perform on stage at 11:30 AM and throughout the plaza.

Local artist Natalie Rivera will live-paint a piece featuring Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown depicted as the Aztec Sun God, Huitzilopochtli. The artwork will be auctioned off on the Detroit Lions Foundation auction site with proceeds benefiting DHDC. Additionally, face painter Miracle Wetoskey will provide face painting for fans.

A low rider display near the Ford activation area will feature two low rider vehicles and details about their significance to the community. Ford will also showcase their new performance street truck, the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo.

Henry Ford College student David Branch has been enlisted to cover the event, highlighting the celebration of Latino heritage and culture in Detroit.

Diana Flores, star quarterback of Mexico's gold medal-winning Women's Flag Football National Team, has been named Honorary Captain for this game. She will join Lions players for the coin toss. Flores is a Global Flag Football ambassador for both NFL and IFAF (International Federation of American Football) and promotes flag football as a potential Olympic sport for 2028.

Additionally, Sunday's presentation of Hometown Hero will honor former United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Cynthia Dixon for her military service. After completing nine years of enlistment from 2008 to 2017, Dixon returned home to Southwest Detroit where she now serves as Mission and Outreach Coordinator and Admin at Santos Church in Mexican Town.