The sounds of Brazilian drumming and the moves of salsa dancers will fill a building at Iowa Central Community College Wednesday.

The college’s Afro-Latino Festival will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Student Resource Center on the Fort Dodge campus. The event is free and open to the public.

“This availability is to experience Hispanic, Afro-Latino and Latino culture,” said Andrea Estling, a Spanish instructor at the college.

“It is becoming one of the biggest events,” she added.

The festival will feature music, food, games and other live entertainment, according to Estling.

Scheduled performers include drummer Isac Oliverias, Mambo Soul Dance Company, Son Peruchos and Son Y Sabor Colombiano.

Foods from Central and South American countries will be served.

The Afro-Latino Festival started in 2019 as an idea in one of Estling’s Spanish classes and has grown steadily. This will be the sixth year for the event.

“This takes like an army to have this done,” Estling said of the preparations for the festival.

She said the event is possible due to the financial backing of the Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation and the Ann Smeltzer Charitable Trust, plus the support of the college.

IF YOU GO

What: Afro-Latino Festival

When: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Student Resource Center, Iowa Central Community College