Mike Wolanin | The Republic Tents are setup for Fiesta Latina at Mill Race Park in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
The popular Fiesta Latina, an annual celebration of Latino culture and Hispanic Heritage Month moved to Mill Race Park Saturday featuring food, music and entertainment, including a beer garden at the festival for the first time.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity for the entire community to come together and enjoy the beauty and diversity of Latino culture,” said founder and coordinator Luz Elena Michel, director of the Community Education Coalition’s Latino education group TuFuturo, hosting the event with Su Casa Columbus.
The event featured mariachi and Colombian bands, folk dance, and Zumba street sessions in addition to food booths, activities from community organizations, children’s activities and more.
This year’s gathering featured a Columbian theme.
The event began modestly at the Columbus Learning Center in 2015 to mark Mexican Independence Day, and drew about 150 people. It has grown ever since, though the founder said she never quite imagined this measure of popularity.
“I think it has grown because Fiesta Latina is a festival where everyone is clearly welcome,” Michel said. “It has a very good ambience and atmosphere. It’s a place where you can dance. You can eat. You can listen to music.”