(Jackson, Mn.)– A special event this Thursday in Jackson will celebrate the different cultures in the community. The Heritage Fiesta will be going on that day beginning at 4:00 pm at the Jackson Center for the Arts. Cay Gjertson, the group’s President, says the 5th annual salsa competition will be held as part of the celebration…
“Come, taste these salsas and vote for your favorite. We will be giving away prizes to the winners. We’ve got some custom designed aprons that you can proudly wear when you are barbecuing or making your salsa. We also will be having food from actually many states in Mexico along with other cultures. We’ve got people bringing swedish meatballs, we’ve got people bringing colaches, blackeyed peas and greens, lefse. So all of these are little food samples and this is a fundraiser for the Jackson Center for the Arts.”
Gjertson says the event is being made possible through a special collaboration…
“The idea behind this is a national organization called Welcoming Week, and in collaboration with Des Moines Valley Health and Human Resources. We have been starting a project called Belonging Begins With Us. And that project is trying to unite all of the people of Jackson. You know it’s been a little divisive in the past year or couple of years and so we want everybody to know that they are invited and we are looking at immigration but we’re looking at ALL of our immigration.”
Gjertson adds some students from Jackson County Central High School’s English as a Second Language program will also be helping out with the event. Admission is by a freewill donation. Awards will be presented for the favorite foods.
