A Fiesta for Everyone

If Madison were to give an award for the Most Colorful One-Block Festival, it would have to go to the Hispanic Festival.

This year marks the 12^th  anniversary for the festival that celebrates the heritage of the area’s many Hispanic residents. According to organizer Shirley Kloepfer, 15 Latin American countries will be represented by displays and entertainment.

It all takes place in a one-block stretch of Broadway St. just north of Main Street.

From 4:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, there will be live mariachi music, dancing, puppets, booths illustrating various countries and lots of food. . Everything except the food is free and all are invited.

The mariachis will be Aguilas del Oro (Golden Eagle), a high-energy group of musicians from Lexington, Ky.(Band members are originally from Mexicoor Nicaragua.) They’ll have everyone out dancing before the evening is over. To get the party started, there will be dance groups of children from Casa Amiga, Madison’s Hispanic center.

Local schools and colleges get involved.  Southwestern High School students make piñatas to sell, for example, and Shawe High School will offer face-painting.

Madison’s Hispanic Festival packs a lot of fun into a small area. Our Hispanic friends have a great time, and their high spirits are contagious. If you come, be sure to bring your appetite and wear your dancing shoes!