Turning fifteen is a major life celebration for young ladies in much of the Spanish-speaking world. Greensboro’s latina population is no different. Making the quinceañera memorable is big business: Photographers, new dresses, dance hall rentals, live music, food, gifts, flowers, and a BIG fancy cake. Families do everything within their financial means to make a daughter’s transition from childhood to adulthood memorable. Quinceañera celebrations are a cross between a Sweet 16 party, a bat mitzvah, and a wedding; with special emphasis on family. Here is the traditional format for the event: the young lady turning fifteen enters with her father while slow songs are playing, they have flowers, and they usually enter through a decorated arch. First, she dances a waltz with dad. There is the first period of dancing, the main course meal, the second period of dancing, the dessert with a video playback of the birthday with friends, a 15-candle ceremony where a candle is given to 15 people who have been influential in the young lady’s life, the third period of dancing, a toast and cake cutting, and a carnival-style dance ( Wiki). Traditionally, this event is the first time that the young lady wears makeup, nail polish, and high heels.

For her quinceañera, the young woman in the purple dress above is on a photo shoot in The Tanger Family Bicentennial Gardens at 1105 Hobbs Road. This public garden was established in Greensboro in 1976 to celebrate America’s bicentennial. There is so much natural beauty here and nature is augmented with a man-made touches like a stream with water that recirculates, a wedding gazebo, a wooded nature trail, well-maintained gardens, sculptures and stone walls. Bicentennial Gardens is a stunning backdrop for any life event, including quinceañeras.