Dancing, food, and piñata smashing were some of the highlights at the Latinx Festival hosted by the Latinx Club and Intercultural Affairs to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Oct. 4 event in the Martin Auditorium drew students, faculty, and families to celebrate their culture.
Latinx Club social media coordinator Gustavo Lage said the event was held to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which started September 15 and continues to October 15. He said it is also for “people learning just a little more about Latin culture, Hispanic culture, and just having fun. Something to lift up their spirits before midterms.”
Melanie Olmo ’26, was one of the students at the event.
“I decided to attend the event because my ethnicity is Puerto Rican, and it is to celebrate the Latin community on campus, which I’m a part of. I thought to support the club and help support my community,” she said.
The event was moved outside briefly for the piñata smashing, during which students closed their eyes, spun around, and tried to hit the piñata.
Following the piñata smashing, cultural food was served. The foods were from a variety of countries, including Peru and Mexico. Then, students enjoyed bachata and salsa lessons.
Fatima Vasquez ’26 said the event “brings the community together and it helps foster diversity. And also getting to meet with your peers, especially when it’s hard to make friends.”
“I hope that it becomes popular. That more people enjoy it, the first event and end up coming to more,” Olmo said. “I think it helps create and broaden diversity in a way where people of color can come together but also welcome non people of color and still be able to celebrate culture, which is a beautiful thing,” she said.
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