Fall Fiesta kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month on campus

This year’s Fall Fiesta took place Thursday, Sept. 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Square. Students were given a unique opportunity to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month on campus by trying foods from different countries and seeing performances featuring traditional dances and music.

Tables of food from different Latin American countries were placed all over the square. Desserts like Pastelitos de Guayaba, Churros and food like Baleadas and Tacos Dorados were included. Each table included a quick description of the food and what country it came from.

Food was ordered from local vendors but did not make it to the end of the event. By 12:10 p.m., about the halfway point for Fall Fiesta, all the food had already run out.

A notable feat from this year’s event is that for the first time one of the performers is a current Lipscomb student. Junior Charlie Bustamante La Cruz and his band made up of young adults performed. La Cruz saw this as the perfect opportunity to show his peers the kind of music that modern-day Mexico is making.

“Mariachi is nice, but it doesn’t grasp the full amount of Mexican music. It doesn’t really encompass what Mexican music is now contemporarily,” said La Cruz.

Band member Gael Torres was introduced to Lipscomb for the first time and shared the same sentiment.

“We’re a little bit nervous but you know you got to get through it. We got to represent you know? Mexico and all that.”

The group performed some of the most popular Mexican music on the scene right now, most of which was from a genre called Corridos. These songs are narrative ballads and have been an essential part of Mexican culture for centuries.

The group ended their performance with the song Marlboro Rojo from the popular band Fuerza Regida. Other performers included a Mariachi band and Aztec dancers.

The event was organized by Lipscomb’s Office of Intercultural development, also known as the OID. New department director Marisol Flores oversaw the event for the first time last year.

“There’s a lot of collaboration lot of teamwork and that’s why I’m so proud of all of our interns also our student life staff,” said Flores. “We house all the tables with student staff. They’re taking time from their busy day to come out support our Hispanic community but also our students here. “

Students from different groups, such as the Commuter Student Council, volunteered with the event and staff members, providing necessary support throughout the afternoon.

Feature image taken by Isaac Leedham.