Fiesta Hispana returns for a second year at Sheboygan South. Here's what to know about the celebration.

SHEBOYGAN — Fiesta Hispana will return for a second year at Sheboygan South High School to celebrate Hispanic heritage.

Yesenia Vera and Josue Uribe, who were a junior and senior last year, respectively, organized the event to celebrate Hispanic culture in the Sheboygan area during Hispanic Heritage Month, which spans Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

Fiesta Hispana was a “huge success” last year because of the community’s large turnout, Vera said.

Several Latin American countries recognize their independence during the 30-day period, like Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico. National observation for Hispanic heritage in the U.S. began in 1968 as a week but expanded to a month in the late 1980s.

Fiesta Hispana is celebrated in Spain on Oct. 12 as a day to recognize the country’s history and future but is largely seen as a day to celebrate cultural ties among other Spanish-speaking countries.

Sheboygan’s celebration had traditional Mexican clothing, resources for Spanish-speaking community members like Sheridan Elementary School and Partners for Community Development, activities for kids, food trucks and music. There were also performances by South High’s Ballet Folklorico and drumline.

“We realize that there’s a pretty big population of Hispanics and Latinos at South High, and we wanted to do something that would celebrate our culture,” Uribe told the Sheboygan Press last year.

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Vera, now a senior, is helping organize the event with the Hispanic Youth Student Organization. Vera and Uribe established the organization last year. She said many Hispanic students at South became involved with HYSO and Fiesta Hispana’s event planning.

What will be at Fiesta Hispana this year?

This year’s event will have traditional clothing, jewelry, face painting and more than 25 Hispanic-owned businesses. Some include Vene’s Pancake House, Jose’s Tacos and La Taumalipeca.

Where and when is the celebration?

Fiesta Hispana will be at Sheboygan South High commons, 1240 Washington Ave. It will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 14.

Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan South hosts Fiesta Hispana with food, face painting and more