Centro Hispano hosts annual fiesta on Saturday

Centro Hispano will celebrate its annual Fiesta Hispana Saturday, June 22, from 11:30 to 8 p.m. in the space outside of Centro’s building at 810 W. Badger Rd.

The event will feature local Latino bands, food, children’s activities, artisan crafts and community-information tables.

“Fiesta is a nice showcase of artistic and cultural talent within the Latino community,” Centro Hispano Executive Director Kenneth Craig said. “Holding the event here I think brings a nice community resource, a really great family event with great entertainment to the south side, which is important.”

Centro has celebrated Fiesta Hispana for over 20 years. Along with craft vending and live concerts, the list of annual Fiesta activities includes a dunk tank, where for a dollar per throw, attendees can try to sink a Madison Police officer. The officers who work on the south side run the tank, and even the South District Captain will participate.

This year’s Fiesta will also include an unveiling of new exterior murals. Local artist Sharon Kilfoy and youth in Centro Hispano programs were involved in making the mural, according to Craig.

“Centro is kind of known for all our murals,” he said. “It’ll be kind of the beginning of our artwork on the outsides of the building, so that’s going to be kind of fun.”

Until last year, Centro held the Fiesta  away from the group’s Badger Road office. According to Craig, having Fiesta at the Badger location worked out well.

“We were in our own space [at last year’s event], and it kind of reinforces our mission more that way,” he said.

Centro’s mission, according to its website, is to improve the quality of life for Latinos and others living in Dane County.

Craig expects about 1,000 people to stop by Fiesta throughout the day Saturday.

Centro’s is located is about a block away from the South Transfer Point for Madison Metro.