Fort Unity Project to host sixth annual Fall Fiesta (Fiesta De Otoño)

The Unity Project of Fort Atkinson has announced that it will be hosting its six annual Fort Fall Fiesta.

The event, which, according to information released by organizers, brings together English and Spanish speakers, will be held in Jones Park, 600 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson, Saturday, Sept. 9, from noon to 4 p.m. 

The event is free and open to the public.

The fiesta features food, music, dancing and children’s activities, the release stated.

Authentic food will be made available for purchase from La Morenita taco truck, the Hispanic congregation of First United Methodist Church and Maria’s Tamales.

In addition, treats and beverages will be provided for purchase by local merchants Frosty Freeze and Beauty and the Bean.

Music during the event will be provided by an area DJ who will take requests while providing a mix of Hispanic tunes and local favorites, the release noted.

Family friendly activities will be provided by local cub scout troops, the Jefferson County Humane Society and the Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE), the release continued.

The event this year will feature a dominoes tournament, with the winner receiving a grand prize of two tickets to a Milwaukee Brewers game.

The event also will feature exhibitors who offer services or opportunities to the Hispanic community.

According to the release, event sponsors include Fort Community Credit Union, Fort HealthCare, Madison Area Technical College, Griffin Ford and TDS.

Additional supports have been provided by Sam Hartwick, the Fort Atkinson Generals Baseball team, and the Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Department.

As stated in the release, the fiesta was originally created at the direction of Scott Lastusky, a retired Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Department director, who, the released noted, “observed a lack of Hispanic children (participating) in city parks programs and wanted to do an outreach to ensure Spanish-language families knew about the offerings of his department. He reached out to the Unity Project, a new organization at that time, to be his partner.”

“The Fiesta is an opportunity to make new friends and have a great time together,” Whitney Townsend, an event organizer, was quoted as saying in the release. 

The Unity Project’s mission is to promote a sense of acceptance and belonging among all members of the community, the release noted. 

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, Fort Atkinson, who, during a previous year in which the event was held, prepared authentic Hispanic favorites. The organization will be returning to the event this year. File photo/Chris Spangler. 

This post has already been read 3878 times!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *