A Mariachi band, contests, children’s activities, prizes, and free food will highlight a Cinco de Mayo celebration at Austin College on Sunday, May 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. on the North Lawn of Wright Campus Center. Hosted by the Austin College student organization Los Amigos, the event and all activities of the afternoon are free and open to the public. In the event of rain, the event moves into Sid Richardson Center of the Robert T. Mason Athletic-Recreation Complex.
Los Amigos president Elizabeth Gonzalez, a senior from Houston, Texas, said that students hope to see many community members from all backgrounds enjoy the celebration.
Entertainment will include a Zumba contest, a mechanical bull, a nacho-eating contest, bounce houses, and a photo booth, as well as activities such as face painting, balloon animals, musical chairs, and a coloring station. An Aztec dance group will perform as will the Austin College Aussie dance team and the College’s Indian dance competition team, KangaRAAS. Free raffles and prizes will be offered as well, including gift cards from Olive Garden, La Placita, City Limits, LaMesa, Cellarman’s, Applebees, and more. Each attendee will receive a free raffle ticket for prizes.
A dinner of tacos, rice and beans will be served at 6:15 p.m. In addition, snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn, and aguas frescas will be available.
Los Amigos promotes awareness of the Hispanic culture and seeks to engage with the greater Hispanic community in the area. Students of all backgrounds and ethnicities are encouraged to take part in activities of Los Amigos.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 36 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of 1,250 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.