The smell of food, mixed with the sounds of music and fun, filled Fort Atkinson’s Jones Park Saturday on the city’s west side.
The park serves annually as the site of the Fort Fall Fiesta, hosted by the Unity Project of Fort Atkinson, for the purpose of bringing members of the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking communities together.
The event delivered an afternoon of food, music, dancing, games and children’s activities.
On Saturday, event-goers found authentic Mexican food prepared by La Morenita taco truck and the Hispanic congregation of the First United Methodist Church.
Additional food offerings included ice cream provided by Frostie Freeze and coffee drinks served by Beauty and the Bean.
Providing information to members of the community were such organizations as the Jefferson County Humane Society, who brought an American Pit Bull Terrier mix named “Miss Maple” to greet guests, Fort HealthCare, Badgerland After School Enrichment Program, Inc., who painted children’s faces for free, and handed out balloon animals and other giveaways, and new this year, event-goers were treated to a quinceañera fashion show co-hosted with the Unity Project by the Fort Atkinson Club.
Some 30 exhibitors were on hand offering products, services, and opportunities to members of the Hispanic community.
Sponsors of the event this year included the Fort Community Credit Union, Fort HealthCare, Jones Dairy Farm and Molina HealthCare.
Concessions provided during the event are sponsored by Kwik Trip and BKS Dental.
Photos from the event follow.
Saul Arellano, Fort Atkinson, at left, and Carmen Martinez, Johnson Creek, serve food during the Fort Fall Fiesta.
Volunteers manning the Unity Project of Fort Atkinson booth display an array of handouts. The organization hosts the annual Fort Fall Fiesta event in Jones Park.
Ian Copp, at left, serves as a volunteer escort for Jones Dairy Farm mascot “Pork Chop.” During Saturday’s Fort Fall Fiesta, the pair took some time to watch the children play in Jones Park.
Sydney Esse of Cottage Grove, at left, and Lori Blockel of New Berlin, greet event-goers. The pair represented the Community Action Coalition of South Central Wisconsin, which is based in Waukesha. The organization serves Jefferson, Dane and Waukesha counties by providing direct assistance and support to low-income communities, including housing assistance, a food bank and programs such as financial literacy courses, educational resources, metal health training and community events, like Winter Glow, which provides resources to those in need.
Fiesta attendees check out materials and gifts at a booth sponsored by the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson.
Elijah Coleman, Jefferson, at left, and his younger brother, Jaime, visit the Jefferson County Head Start booth, where they receive bottles of soap to make bubbles.
“Miss Maple,” an American Pit Bull Terrier mix, greets event-goers to the Fort Fall Fiesta in Jones Park Saturday. The 2- or 3-year-old pup came with members of the Humane Society of Jefferson County. The pet is available for adoption, members of the Humane Society said. Those interested in learning more about Miss Maple, or other pets at the society, are encouraged to visit the shelter, W6127 Kiesling Rd., Jefferson.
Helios Martinez, associate account representative for Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, at left, talks with Karen Bush, Fort Atkinson, about organ donation. Bush said her late son donated his body to science.
Linda Ortiz, of Illinois-based Ortiz Entertainment, decorates the face of a fiesta attendee.
Chris Spangler photos.
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