Unity in Action invites you to the event “Celebrate Siouxland”

For its second year in a row, South Sioux City-based nonprofit Unity in Action, which has been serving the Siouxland area since 2014, will present “Celebrando Siouxland,” a three-day Latino multicultural festival filled with different activities.
In an interview with Araceli Lopez Valdivia, the new Executive Director of this organization, she told us that they are very proud to organize this tremendous multicultural event whose objective is to offer days of relaxation for the vibrant and diverse community of the area.
“We have a committee of 10 people, members of the community who have volunteered their time to make this event a success. They are people with different nationalities and experiences dedicated to community service.”
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
Coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month’s start, activities will begin on Thursday, September 15, at the South Sioux City Public Library. That day there will be a traditional lottery night starting at 6 pm. They will also have another lottery created by Vanessa Topete, program coordinator, and community outreach specialist, focusing on our community’s civic representatives so that people know the different positions of public servants.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
On Friday, September 16, attendees will be able to enjoy an outdoor movie screening at the Jeffrey Dibble Sports Complex in South Sioux City, along the river. People can enjoy from the comfort of their car or in front of the giant screen the movie “Vivo,” where the protagonist, passionate about music, undertakes an arduous journey from his homeland Cuba to Miami. In this magical adventure, he shows that friendship, family, and music can achieve anything. There is no cost for this activity.
September 17, 202,
The big festival day is Saturday, September 17. The activities begin with the traditional parade down Dakota Avenue at 11 in the morning. Through this space, Araceli reminds the entire community that there is no cost to participate in the parade and that there is still time to register. At noon on the day, activities resume at the Jeffrey Dibble Sports Complex in South Sioux City, where attendees can enjoy music such as marimba, banda, and the royal performance, where four Latino students from Siouxland will be recognized. There will also be a cultural fashion show; Araceli commented that she expects representatives from 20 Latin American countries; If people want to register, they must send a photo of the suit they will wear. The event will feature her favorite food from her favorite lunch box or food truck, a particular area for children, and cultural and artistic activities. “Different public and private organizations and small businesses will participate. If you are a business owner, you can still register to participate; you have to fill out the online form on the unitedinactionne.org page or call 402-412-3333, and we will gladly help you,” commented Araceli, emphasizing the importance of working together in this community event.
The Seaboard company will be offering free tacos. If you like to leave a donation, those funds will support Unity in Action programs to continue serving the community for free. The event coincides with the Interstate soccer tournament, so you can also enjoy soccer games, so the organizers expect more than 1500 people for this event. If an organization is interested in sponsoring the event, it can still do so.
Araceli commented that they are accepting any amount that will help them cover the costs of this free event. You can send your donation to 3900 Dakota Avenue in South Sioux City or Paypal. When we asked Araceli what it means for Unity in Action to be the organizer of this great event, she told us that she is very proud that the community has placed its trust in her organization. “This is a necessary event that our community deserves; the Latino community in Siouxland has contributed to the area’s economy for years, creating jobs and moving our community forward. Being able to celebrate our community and say that we are here, that we are united and share it with everyone is something that fills us in a great way,” she commented.
She also commented that this is an excellent opportunity for Unity in Action to let the community know the resources for local immigrant communities, citizenship courses, translation services, training on workers’ rights, and inclusive community events.
The event is free to the public; if you want to volunteer for the event or find out more details about the event on Unity in Action’s social networks, such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as on the unitedinactionne.org website.