National Hispanic Heritage Month started September 15 and is officially in full swing. With a diverse student population, UF takes pride and celebrates the culture present in Gainesville. Come out or participate in some of these events in the Gainesville community!
1. Fiesta Music Festival on Flavet Field
Hosted by the Hispanic Student Association’s board for Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM), Fiesta is is an event with the theme of “Vivir La Vida En Color,” or Live Life in Color. The festival, similar to a rave, will take place Friday, Sept. 29 from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. It is a giant celebration of Latin culture with a DJ playing mixes of EDM and great Latino music. In addition, HHM will be providing tacos from Cilantro Tacos (FREE!), mirror photo booths, graffiti shirt stations, glow in the dark juice bar, laser light shows, bounce houses and LED robots.
Assistant director for the event, Sabrina Rubis, is a senior women’s studies and criminology major and gives her take on the event.
“Fiesta is one of seven programming events and several external programming activities that HSA puts on as a social function for UF’s student body. We also have smaller events in between those that include activities like painting with a twist, a professional development day, salsa night, tie dying shirts day, black and brown solidarity day, and Greek Olympics,” she says.
“We create an inviting environment to bring the whole community of UF to enjoy and celebrate what Hispanic Heritage has to offer. Additionally, Fiesta is a rave-themed festival that introduces or encourages Hispanic music throughout the night. We have been planning this since the beginning of summer and cannot wait for our fellow Gators to come out.”
The main point, Rubis says, is to “raise awareness for Hispanic heritage and diversity for every person of any nationality to attend.”
“The HHM at UF works really hard to celebrate the rich culture of the Hispanic and LatinX community and it’s traditions. HHM has been prevalent and celebrated formally at UF since 1991 and holds the biggest student-run Hispanic Heritage Month in the nation by carrying out such events. We started as one week in 1991 and we are currently celebrating for a whole month!, says Rubis.
“We take pride in carrying out a huge event because of our large Hispanic community and student body. During this month, we raise money for CHISPAS which is a student run organization that focuses on immigrant rights and advocacy for undocumented students.”
2. Attend an HSA Meeting
The Hispanic Student Association is a fun, vibrant community that welcome all nationalities and is not exclusive to Hispanic/Latinx cultures. Stop by for a chance to embrace the Latino culture and to enjoy the free food the association never forgets to add to their meetings.
3. Donate to Chispas on Plaza of the Americas
As Rubis noted, the Hispanic Heritage Month committee (HHM) will be providing $1 popsicles benefiting the notion on undocumented students’ rights and advocacy. The popsicles are a good way to cool down from the Florida heat. (Fall, can you please come sooner, thanks!)
4. Visit a New Latin Restaurant
Without a doubt, Gainesville is a place for college foodies alike to try different places like Flacos in Midtown, or Mexican restaurants like La Pasadita or La Tienda. Don’t get me wrong we love you Mi Apa, but sometimes we have to try something new.
5. Attend a Zumba Class
Engage in a cardio class while jamming to some upbeat Latino music at UF’s local Southwest or Student Rec gyms. Classes are offered at SW every Monday and Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. and Student Rec every Thursday night at 9 p.m.
How do you plan to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Let us know in the comments below!