With National Hispanic Heritage Month stretching from Sept. 15 until Oct. 15, the University of Arizona Athletics department is turning this weekend’s game day and tailgate activities into a fiesta.
Athletics, in partnership with the Alumni Association, the UA Hispanic Alumni Club and UA Government and Community Relations will host the Coca-Cola Fan Fiesta on the Mall between 5 and 7:30 p.m., and admission will be free.
“Tucson is our home. It has rich and unique cultural diversity that makes it a very special place to live, visit, and experience,” said director of athletics Dave Heeke in a press release. “Events like Hispanic Heritage Night give us the opportunity to celebrate a part of our very special identity in southern Arizona.”
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On top of free entertainment from local bands and DJs, tickets will be available for a buffet catered by Tucson Mexican food favorite El Charro. A cash bar serving alcoholic beverages will open at 5:30 p.m. for those of drinking age.
According to Matt Ensor, director of communication services for the athletics department, the celebration has been a mainstay on the sports calendar every year since 2006 and is dependent on the feedback of alumni and fans.
“We utilize fan feedback in all-fan experience for home events, and we also worked with our Spanish media partners,” Ensor said of this years preparations.
In addition to the events on the Mall, mariachis will welcome fans entering through Gates 3, 6, 7 and 8 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In the press release, Heeke also touched on the importance of Hispanic culture at UA.
“We welcome all of our fans, supporters and alumni to our beautiful campus at the University of Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 29, as our football team takes on USC and as we recognize an important part of our campus and community experience.”
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