The Unity Project of Fort Atkinson will be co-hosting its fifth Fort Fall Fiesta.
The bilingual festival brings together English and Spanish speakers within the community for an afternoon of food, music, dancing and kids’ activities.
This year’s event will be held in Jones Park on Saturday, Sept. 17, from noon to 4 p.m.
According to information released by the Unity Project, this year the group will be joined by Fort Community Credit Union, Fort Healthcare, Madison Area Technical College, mkCellular and Griffin Ford as co-hosts of the event.
This year’s event will see the return as emcees of husband-and-wife team Joe Mieses and Whitney Townsend. Mieses is a former pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers.
The couple will also provide salsa dance demonstrations, the release noted.
Food served at the event will include the Spanish language congregation of First United Methodist Church’s “well-reviewed authentic Hispanic specialty foods,” and La Morenita will be serving an “equally well-reviewed” dish of tacos, the release stated.
Also returning this year is the husband-and-wife duo of Jim Marousis and Karen Reinhardt who will be managing the Unity Project hotdog stand.
Rounding out the variety of food choices, Beauty and the Bean will be onsite with its mobile unit, providing caffeinated and other treats, and Frostie Freeze will provide ice cream treats, the release noted.
Local DJ Jose Ramirez will be at the event to provide a variety of Latinx music. The DJ brings a “party-making personality” and takes requests, the release continued.
According to the release, Cub Scouts Pack 137 will be sponsoring a bouncy obstacle course, and a bouncy house will be available.
The Humane Society of Jefferson County will be sponsoring a face-painting booth, and the community’s English Language (EL) teachers and Badgerland After School Enrichment program (BASE) will be on hand to help contribute their expertise, which includes “creating fun activities and a welcoming atmosphere” the release stated.
Each exhibitor at the event works to provide a kid-friendly activity and is required to provide at least one piece of literature in Spanish designed to introduce their organization to the Spanish-speaking community, the release noted.
This year, more than 30 area exhibitors are slated to participate.
Some Fort Fiesta history
According to the release, Fort Fiesta was originally created by former Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Director Scott Lastusky, who observed a lack of Hispanic children utilizing the city’s Parks and Recreation Department programming. Seeking an opportunity for outreach, he partnered with the Unity Project, then in its infancy. The Unity Project has since embraced the bilingual festival as a continuing tradition. The Unity Project’s mission is to promote a sense of acceptance and belonging among all members of the community. The Unity Project extends its appreciation to the Fort Atkinson Generals, with special mention of Sam Hartwick, the Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Department and the city of Fort Atkinson for supporting the event.
Saul Arellano, at left, and Carman Martinez man one of several grills at the Fort Fall Fiesta. They were among members of the Spanish language congregation of First United Methodist Church who last year prepared authentic Hispanic favorites. The organization will be returning to the event this year. File photo/Chris Spangler.
The husband-and-wife team of former Milwaukee Brewers’ pitcher Jose Mieses and Whitney Townsend will emcee this year’s Fort Fall Fiesta. The couple served similarly last year. File photo/contributed.
Fort Fall Fiesta participants enjoy children’s activities at a previously held event. Contributed photo.
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