For the fourth year in a row, the annual Fall Fiesta will be held on Nov. 1. A newly adopted Lipscomb tradition, Fall Fiesta is an event where Lipscomb students from Latin America and Hispanic heritage share their culture’s customs, traditions and cuisine.
For the last three years, it’s been organized by Kappa Iota Theta, the intercultural society, spearheaded by president Shawna Rayford. However, for the first time, Futuro, a newly established professional development organization for Hispanic college students, will organize Fall Fiesta.
“Since Futuro is made up of mostly Latino students, we’re kind of expected to organize Fall Fiesta this year,” said Karin Lopez, the Lipscomb Futuro chapter’s graduate assistant.
In the past, Fall Fiesta has consisted of students holding performances in the square, along with typical Latin American cuisine from different countries. However, Lopez said this year things will be a little different.
“We really want to make it fun and establish a good reputation for Futuro,” she said. “We’re holding a taco-eating contest, balloon games and even a photo booth, so families can have pictures with props we’ll have set up.”
There will also a performance by dance group Destellos Culturales (Cultural Sparks), a piñata-hitting contest, trivia games and food. The event is free of charge and open to the Lipscomb community.
Futuro is in its second year of existence, and some of the members participated in organizing last year’s Fall Fiesta with Kappa Iota Theta. But Lopez said it will take a different approach to organizing the event.
“We’ve learned from our mistakes and have received feedback from members about how we can make it better and more engaging every time,” she said. “Fall Fiesta is about displaying our heritage proudly and engaging with the rest of the Lipscomb community and making our presence known on campus.”