Through dancing, live music and socializing, a night celebrating Hispanic Heritage month helps students feel welcomed at DePaul.
As the sun began to set on Thursday, September 24, students filled DePaul’s Welcome Center parking lot to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. After checking in to the event, a table filled with stickers and specialized bandanas were free for students.
Reggaeton throwbacks blared across the parking lot. Students filled the space as they lined up for free food, learning more about Latine clubs and organizations as they explored various booths. Tacos, esquites, churros and agua frescas were free for students to take as they settled into the event.
DePaul’s Latinx Cultural Center hosts a yearly celebration with live music, entertainment, food and local vendors to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15. This lively celebration made its debut on September 22, 2022.
With no official theme, Feria encouraged students to wear Western attire.
This was my first time attending Feria after hearing about it from friends and social media. I did not know what to expect before attending, but will admit that a part of me was nervous as I would be attending the event alone.
While Feria can be attended by any student at DePaul, it is a celebration directed towards the Latine community within our own school. Whether you attend the event solo like I did, or with a group of friends, you are bound to strike up a conversation with someone or even make a new friend. Through mingling at tables, the dance floor, vendor booths, or at one of the many club tables, community among students was apparent.
There are currently 15 clubs, organizations and Greek life chapters that share Latine culture, heritage and traditions at DePaul University.
But how does a yearly event make Latine students feel welcome at the start of the school year?
Alina Gallardo is a sophomore transfer student who enjoys attending various events to get connected and make new friends.
“As a Latina student, I kind of have to put myself out there more,” Gallardo said. “But the good thing is that it’s such a big event that it’s easier to do that.”
Whether you joined the dance circle or danced with a partner, the live music provided a friendly atmosphere as many students danced across the floor. Through shared moments of not knowing how to dance el Payaso de Rodeo to discussing the free food, Feria provided a welcoming environment to myself and many others.
Senior student Marilyn Hernandez enjoys the event’s connection to Hispanic Heritage Month and felt drawn to the event through its name.
“When I go to Mexico, they’re always like, ‘Vamos ir a la feria,’ so that’s what [DePaul’s Feria] reminded me of,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez also enjoyed spending time with friends at Feria. As classes wind down for the day and the fall weather begins to bring a cool breeze, Feria can be an event to catch up with friends after a busy start to the school year.
“Sometimes we don’t see each other around campus, but this is always timed perfectly where we all have time,” she said.
Freshman student Thalia Del Toro first heard about the event through DeHUB. While open to attending events that DePaul hosts, Del Toro was specifically drawn to Latine events.
“I just want to get to know more people, the free food, the connections, and just have fun with the music and everything,” Del Toro said. “I see a lot of Latino students and it makes me really happy to know that DePaul is really diverse.”
DePaul’s Latinx Cultural Center hosts various events year round. By providing students a venue to learn about Latinx culture, traditions and heritage, the LCC offers many services to uplift and foster belonging to any student, regardless of their race.
“Thank you to the Feria organizers who organized this,” Hernandez said. “I bet this takes a lot with the music and the vendors, so shout out to them.”
For future event information hosted by the LCC, details can be found on their DeHUB or their Instagram page @latinxdepaul.
Header Image by Annette Prado
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