Afro-Latino Festival Returns to Iowa Central Sept. 17

Emily Denholm, Public Information Office
9/16/2025

In observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Iowa Central Spanish Department is preparing to celebrate with the annual Afro-Latino Festival on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Resource Center on the Fort Dodge campus.

What began in 2019 as a small classroom project has grown into a community-wide celebration. 

“This is a cultural event that aims to highlight the rich heritage of the Afro-Latino community at Iowa Central and in our broader community,” said Andrea Estling, advanced humanities instructor and native of Colombia. “It provides an opportunity for people to learn about and appreciate the diverse cultures and traditions of the Afro-Latino community. We saw this as a way to fill a need—a way to have a direct encounter with many cultures.”

Guests will also have the chance to experience salsa dancing, learn about the history of Latin American nations, and sample cultural dishes.

This year’s entertainment lineup includes:

• Cucho at 8:30 a.m.
• Danza Folklorica del Oeste at 10:15 a.m.
• Mambo Soul Dance Company at 11:30 a.m.
• Son Peruchos at 12:30 p.m.

“This is a celebration of culture and an opportunity to encounter something new,” Estling said. “It is very unique—no other community college in Iowa hosts something like this.”

The event is free and open to the public. Estling emphasized that the community is encouraged to attend.

“We welcome the community to come out—it is not just for Iowa Central students and staff,” she said. “It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about the rich history and traditions of the Afro-Latino community and to celebrate the cultural diversity that makes Iowa Central and Fort Dodge such a vibrant and exciting place.”

The festival is made possible through the support of the Ann Smeltzer Charitable Trust, the Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation, and Iowa Central Student Activities.