By Julia Lobo
Students and campus organizations celebrated the second Latin Festival featuring music, Latin dancing, food and games as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 11 at the Marshall Student Center Amphitheater.
USF student groups hosted tables with cultural displays, live music, and fun activities to show their traditions at the event. Alessandra Ruiz, the president of LULACC and vice president of LGSO said that the festival celebrates the diversity of the Latin community at USF and her main goal was to make sure students mingled and enjoyed themselves.
“As a proud Puerto Rican/Cuban person, I was thrilled to see a Bomba performance at USF and hear the rhythm of my people,” said Ruiz.
One of the goals of the organizers was to encourage students to not only enjoy the event but also to learn more about the history and traditions behind Latin American and Caribbean culture. All evening, people could visit different club booths, get flyers, and talk with student leaders.
The festival is one of many events USF holds during Hispanic Heritage Month. This year it was celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. It honors the history and contributions of communities from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Campuses and cities all over the country have speakers, concerts, and cultural programs for this.
“We are facing times when people are afraid or not always willing to engage,” said Dr. Beatriz Padilla, associate professor and sponsor of the Institute for the Study of Latin America and the Caribbean (ISLAC). “The festival creates a safe space for all students to learn more about Latin culture and organizations on campus.”
Students visited different booths. They collected stamps for prizes and then traded them for plates of food. Food such as empanadas, rice dishes, and traditional desserts was available. At the UNIDOS table, members used the event to start conversations about problems affecting Latino communities. They also talked about how students could get involved.
“We wanted to talk to students about disparities and how this festival affects their sense of community and connection,” said Catherine Lorenzo, president of UNIDOS. “It helps us provide resources, share ideas and connect with others who identify with us.”
The USF festival is also connected to bigger celebrations in Tampa Bay. The Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage Festival is one of these. It showcases Latin music, art, and food for the whole region. The 9th annual festival is on Feb. 1–2, 2025, at Curtis Hixon Park. It will have two full days of celebrity performers, like Bhaskar from Brazil and Oro Solido. The Downtown Tampa event also has a Kids Zone, local sports teams, and a 60-foot Ferris wheel. Organizers said linking campus events with bigger ones helps build visibility and community.