The University of Central Arkansas will host the third annual Amigo Fest for the campus and local communities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Sept. 21 in the Student Center Courtyard.

“Amigo Fest celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at UCA, which gives our Hispanic students, faculty and staff a sense of belonging. The Office of Diversity and Community is delighted to have the opportunity to share critical Hispanic culture elements with the central Arkansas community to engage with and learn from,” said Maria Negrete Padron, assistant director of the UCA Office of Diversity and Community. “As a Hispanic UCA staff member, I love sharing with the community about my culture and the different aspects of the many Hispanic cultures.”

The Amigo Fest will include free health screenings, a children’s area with bouncy houses, a balloon artist and more, as well as authentic Mexican and Venezuelan food for purchase. Live entertainment will include a mariachi band, salsa dancers and folkloric dancers and performers. Morrilton High School students will also host an art exhibition titled “Living in Two Worlds,” according to a press release.

The Amigo Fest is one of several initiatives in the university’s Hispanic/Latino Outreach Initiative in the Office of Institutional Diversity. This celebration of Latino culture is a free, family-friendly event and open to the public. In case of rain, the back-up location is Old Main.