On a sun-drenched Spring Saturday, more than 15,000 Iowans turned out for a block party hosted by their newest neighbors: Iowa's Latino community. Iowa's new Hispanic residents gave long-time residents of all races from Des Moines and surrounding areas a fun-filled introduction to Latino culture. The action was centered on the streets of downtown Des Moines, on the River Bridges, and thousands partied from morning until midnight with food, music and dancing. The folkloric dancers, the Latino singers, and the beat of the mariachi bands made it difficult for partygoers not to practice newly-learned salsa steps as they left the festival on their way home.

Colorful folkloric dancers twirling and swirling to the salsa beat.

Iowa's Latino population has grown by more than 150 percent in the last decade, and the Iowa HUD office has been reaching out to this and other underserved populations through Sunday afternoon expos in local churches. HUD is taking the lead in bringing together affordable housing providers and public and private partners to present information on buying and owning a home to immigrant and minority families in areas of high concentration throughout Iowa. Iowa HUD also conducts informational meetings in new immigrant communities with local leaders, and assists in planning events in the Hispanic community such as the Festival. During FY 2001, HUD's Iowa Latino Single Family endorsement grew by more than 31 percent.

There was something for everyone at the festival: 73 resource exhibitors, including HUD, lined one street; a second street was dedicated to activities for the kids, including face painting, making pi�atas and paper flowers, and a playground for the children. The festival began with a Catholic mass at 10am in the Simon Estes Amphitheater and continued with singing, dancing, and music until midnight. Two stages hosted different events and a strolling mariachi band serenaded the attendees the entire day (right). More than a dozen food vendors served pupusas, carne asada, birria and lengua and the traditional tacos and fajitas - and were the biggest hit of the day! Although the food lines were long, the time went quickly with the salsa beat in the background and the dancers in their bright colors swirling and twirling throughout the waiting lines.

Iowa Governor Thomas Vilsack attended many Latino Festival activities throughout the day. Shown with Dottie Meyer, HUD Employees Krista Bowersox and Cecilia Sommer, Governor Vilsack and Des Moines Police Officer Joseph Gonzalez.

Cecilia Sommer from the Des Moines HUD office along with volunteers from throughout the city worked long and hard to make the Latino Heritage Festival a success. Cecilia is an Operations Analyst, Iowa Field Office and was the Festival's Publicity Committee Chairperson. She said: "My grandparents were one of the first Latin families to move to Des Moines in 1920 to work on the railroad. They would never have imagined a celebration of culture like this. We have heard nothing but positive comments and people are looking forward to next year." Speaking about HUD's outreach to the community, as well as that of public and private groups, she said: "Just a few short years ago, there were few Spanish speaking service providers assisting the Latino community. At the festival it was amazing to see all the Hispanic speaking employees of the financial and real estate community and the service providers extending their programs to the Latino community."