The Waukegan Park District board wanted more events to celebrate the city’s Latino community. So staff created the district’s first free Fiesta Friday, to be held Aug. 5. It will include Latino music, dancing, dance instruction, salsa-making demonstrations and tasting, a jalapeno-eating contest, karaoke and Mexican-themed games.
“We’re trying to keep it fun and light and family-oriented,” said Jennifer Dumas, the park district’s recreation supervisor. “We’re getting people outside and having them enjoy something cultural.
“It’s a Friday night because that seems like it’s a night when families like to do things together. It’s a good way to kick off the weekend and it’s after work.”
Jamie Teichmann, the district’s recreation specialist for family programs, said she’s been having fun planning the event since March.
She found a band that will play Latino music and bring dancers who will perform as well as provide instruction for anyone who wants to get out there and dance. When the band is taking a break, the staff will run a karaoke session.
For the jalapeno-eating contest, Teichmann said she researched spicy peppers. “I didn’t taste them,” she said. “But after my research I decided the best way is to let people choose what level of spicy they want. So we have five different categories, from spiciest to least spicy — habanero, Thai, serrano, Fresno and poblano.”
Those ages 15 and older are welcome to enter the contest.
At Fiesta Friday, a vendor will provide samples of salsa and demonstrate how to make it. “They’ll do a variety of food. They’ll keep it Hispanic-specific,” Teichmann said.
The staff also will run seven games and five family-friendly craft activities, for example, making mini pinatas, painting cactus on a rock and creating maracas and a cross made of Popsicle sticks and then decorated with colored yarn.
For games, the staff has planned the hot pepper toss, a soccer kick, a limbo game and a cactus ring toss, among others. Those who have completed a certain amount of games and activities will receive a prize, Teichmann said.
“Fiesta Friday is something completely new,” Teichmann said. “I’m really excited about it.”
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
Fiesta Friday
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When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Belvidere Park, 412 S. Lewis, Waukegan
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-360-4700; waukeganparks.org