Mike Wolanin | The Republic A piata hangs from a booth during Fiesta Latina in downtown Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.

Fiesta Latina had a picture-perfect afternoon and evening for the return of the annual festival, which brought thousands of visitors to downtown Columbus for the tastes and sounds of the Latino community.

The free admission gathering stretched from noon to 10 p.m. overall celebrating the rich culture of Latin America; showcasing Latino musicians, dancers, artisans, and chefs from around the region, according to organizers promotional materials.

Proceeds from the event go to help Su Casa serve its Latino community, so that all Latinos feel welcome and safe, with equal access to opportunities that encourage a sense of pride and belonging, according to the website at sucasaindiana.org/fiesta-latina/.

Among the performers was Sabada, a group with Brazilian backgrounds. Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos performed and music took over the evening festivities, including a Mariachi band and then music from a DJ.

Our goal is to highlight the amazing culture that Latinos contribute to a vibrant community, said Luz Elena Michel, who helped organize the event and is among the organizers of TuFuturo, the Latino education group.

In a highlighted event, TuFuturo, an initiative of the Community Education Coalition, is organizing a Latino conference called Es Posible on Friday.

Its purpose is for students to visualize their next step upon finishing high school, learn about career options and many other aspects to consider to futher their education.

The conference is directed toward Hispanic students in grades seven through 10.

Keynote speakers will be Paola Ariza-Storch and Heriberto Acevedo. Ariza-Storch is a rising senior at Butler University studying biochemistry and neuroscience with the hopes of becoming a physician.

Paola is a Columbus local, who graduated from Columbus East High School in 2019. Paola was born and raised on the island of Puerto Rico and completed undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico, with a degree in chemical sciences. He worked as a science teacher for the seventh grade to high school and now works as a research and development scientist at Eli Lilly.

For more information, or to register online, contact Es Posble on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @TuFuturoLatino.

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A celebration: Fiesta Latina shares the sounds and tastes of Latino culture with Columbus - The Republic