Casa Hispana, a nonprofit centered on the Fox Valley Area’s growing Hispanic/Latino population based in Appleton, will hold its annual Latino Fest on Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Pierce Park, 1035 W. Prospect Ave.
The festival brings free family fun and serves as a way to celebrate and educate Appleton on Hispanic and Latino heritage. A 5k walk/run marathon will be held the day prior.
“Our job is to advocate and empower our Latino community and to show awareness, education and celebration of our diverse culture here in the Fox Valley,” said Carlos Salazar, executive director of Casa Hispana. “We want people to remember all this so future generations can thrive in the Fox Valley, know our history and move forward.”
The organization has continuously worked towards bringing awareness of the Fox Valley’s growing Latino and Hispanic population. Latino Fest serves as a way to advocate and celebrate that, but it’s also a chance to highlight its efforts in education.
Casa Hispana has a scholarship to help Latino and Hispanic students to attend two-year and four-year colleges. The last round was distributed to eight people who will attend University of Wisconsin schools in Madison, Milwaukee and Oshkosh this academic year.
It’s currently working on another scholarship geared towards students in the Appleton Area School District who want to pursue careers in health.
The day prior to the full Latino Fest celebration, a 5k walk or run marathon will be held. The marathon is to promote health and community bonding, Salazar said.
At Latino Fest music, food and games will be held throughout the day along with a dedicated schedule for children. The crowning event will be a parade of nations where representatives from Latino and Hispanic countries will march around the park with flags.
A full schedule can be found on Casa Hispana’s website.
Latino Fest will be held Sept. 14 from 10-3 p.m. at Pierce Park, 1035 W. Prospect Ave., Appleton. The marathon on Sept. 13 at Kaleidoscope Academy, 318 E. Brewer Street, Appleton, at 5:30 pm.
Both are free to attend and require no registration.
