An annual festival will be taking place this weekend in Perry that will help raise funds for the Hispanics United for Perry (HUP) while also celebrating the Latino community. 

HUP President Rosa Gonzalez says the idea behind the Latino Festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday is to celebrate the community while also having an opportunity to share the customs and traditions as well as talents and gifts of the Latino culture. 

“We want to preserve our traditions and pass those along to other generations but also to share with those that may not have experienced something like that. An opportunity to experience some of the things that come from our culture that includes the food, the music and the dances as well. We want families to have fun.”

Gonzalez tells Raccoon Valley Radio not only is the festival a way to celebrate the Latino community while also giving people the opportunity to come together but it is also a way for HUP to raise funds that are later put to good use. 

“The funds that we collect of course pay for all the things in the festival but also what is left is used to provide scholarships to the high school students at the end of the school year. It is very important for us to let people know that we want to support kids who want to pursue higher education in the form of giving scholarships away.”

For a look at the schedule you can go here.