Northeast Alabama Community College will host the 12th annual Summer Latino Festival: A Celebration of Latino Culture on Saturday, June 6, 2015, from 12:00 noon until 4:00 pm on campus.
This exciting event will be free and open to the public. There will be a live Mariachi Band, live DJ, folkloric dancing, delicious Latino foods sold by local restaurants, photo booth--free family photos, authentic Latino merchandise for sale, as well as free soft drinks and ice cream treats. For children, there will be arts, crafts, games and activities including a rock wall, inflatables, face painting, giant Jenga, Mexican bingo, piñatas, pony rides, learning futbol and soccer skills, and puppet shows.
The Hispanic community is a very significant part of the Northeast Alabama area, contributing to the economy and culture of our area. As part of the college’s mission as a community college, one way to reach out to this part of the community is to offer a day of fun activities, ethnic foods and music. In the summer of 2004 the first Summer Latino Festival was held on campus. This June, 2015, is the 12th annual festival. This day is as much fun for local citizens and NACC students as it is for the local Hispanic community. In bringing the two cultures together, the best that we have to offer can be shared. NACC wants the Hispanic community to know that they are welcomed to our campus as potential students and that their families are welcomed to all the events that are sponsored. This festival has helped both heritages understand and appreciate one another.
“Each year the number of attendees to the festival has increased,” stated Tresha McClain, Chair of the Festival Committee at the college. “This past year there were approximately 1,500 people on campus to enjoy the games, pony rides, and arts and crafts. One of the most popular activities each year has been free family photos. We have free refreshments for everyone, as well as local Mexican restaurants selling great food. Live Latino music and beautiful, authentic Mexican dancers will perform. Our staff, faculty and students have taken on this project as part of their commitment and our outreach to the Latino community. This has truly been an education in understanding cultures for most of our staff. Each year our numbers grow in the involvement of our employees. The fun that is had by both cultures has made this annual event one that our campus looks forward to each year.”
The Summer Latino Festival will be held on the NACC campus located on Alabama Highway 35 between Scottsboro and Fort Payne. Everyone is encouraged to attend, bring a lawn chair and enjoy this Celebration of Latino Culture.
For more information, contact Tresha McClain, Chair of the Festival Committee, at college ext. 2271. For additional college information, go to www.nacc.edu. Download the college’s free App from the Apple App store or by going to www.naccmobile.com#shareNACClatinofestivalLOVE
