By Chris Spangler
The fourth annual Fort Fall Fiesta took place Saturday, Sept. 18, at Jones Park in Fort Atkinson.
The food, music and variety of family activities, along with beautiful weather, brought together both the English and Spanish speakers of the community for a fun afternoon.
It was sponsored by the Unity Project of Fort Atkinson, which has as its mission promoting a sense of acceptance and belonging for all members of the community.
The day featured music by Clive Y Afinque, a Milwaukee-based salsa band; a bouncy obstacle course; balloon artists; piñata making; and salsa dancing taught by former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jose Mieses and his wife, Whitney Townsend.
Authentic Hispanic cuisine was prepared by the Spanish language congregation of First United Methodist Church, with other food also available.
Also during the afternoon was a baseball game between Utica and Vaquero, a Milwaukee-based team.
Nearly 30 local businesses and organizations were represented at the Fall Fiesta as well.
Photos from the day’s activities follow.
Photos by Chris Spangler.
Saul Arellano, left, and Carman Martinez man one of several grills at the Fort Fall Fiesta. They were among the members of the Spanish language congregation of First United Methodist Church preparing authentic Hispanic favorites.
Two photos above: Members of First United Methodist Church’s Spanish congregation, at top, prepare Hispanic food at the Fort Fall Fiesta Saturday. Attendees, pictured above, were able to add their own garnishes to their dishes.
Scout Vincelli of Fort Atkinson makes a Lion piñata at Saturday’s Fort Fall Fiesta. The event was held in Jones Park.
Emily Janes of Fort Atkinson enjoys the Culver’s Restaurant ball she won at one of the many booths Saturday at the Fort Fall Fiesta celebrated in Jones Park.
Youngsters participate with crafts at one of the many children’s activity booths during the fourth annual Fort Fall Fiesta.
From left, Lupita Nino, Martha Viscuso and Stephen Torres, all of Waukesha representing the Hispanic Health Resource Center, share information about ProHealth Care in both Spanish and English. Information shared focused on the availability of free breast and cervical cancer screenings such as mammograms, pap tests and other follow-up evaluations by calling (262) 928-4107.
Former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jose Mieses and his wife, Whitney Townsend, of Fort Atkinson, who served as emcees of the Fort Fall Fiesta, enjoy salsa dancing to the music of Clive Y Afinque during Saturday’s celebration.
A Milwaukee-area salsa band, Clive Y Afinque, keeps the crowd moving to the beat at the fourth annual Fort Fall Fiesta.
A balloon artist makes creations for youngsters at the Fort Fall Fiesta Saturday. Along with the usual balloon animals were requests for balloon aliens and balloon bows and arrows.
Ambar Meneses, bilingual academic support adviser at Madison Area Technical College, left, and Katie Blanchardt, who is involved in recruitment, share Saturday information about HEP, an educational scholarship program that enables migrant farm workers and their family members who did not complete high school to earn a GED/HSED. It offers flexible classes and evening courses, tutoring, basic computer skills educational and career counseling and school materials, among other things. Qualifications include being 18 years of age or older, having proof of temporary agricultural work from the applicant or a family member, being eligible for or admitted to the Title 1 Migrant Education Program (MEP) and being eligible for WIA-167 National Farmworkers Jobs Program. For more information, contact hep@madisoncollege.edu or call (608) 259-2977.
Fort Community Credit Union, based in Fort Atkinson, is presented a “Juntos Avanzamos,” or “Together, We Advance,” designation from Inclusiv, a national association committed to serving and empowering Hispanic and immigrant communities by providing affordable and relevant financial services. The presentation was made during the Fort Fall Fiesta Saturday.
A baseball game between Utica and Vaquero, a Milwaukee-based team, takes place during the Fort Fall Fiesta on Saturday. The game was held in Jones Park.
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