Entra a la Plaza, Hispanos Unidos annual event, took place in the campus mall area on Friday from 6-10 p.m.

Hispanos Unidos has hosted the event for 27 years to promote cultural awareness and celebrate Hispanic heritage at ACU and in the Abilene community. For Entra a la Plaza, Hispanos Unidos partners with the community by bringing in local taco trucks, Folklorico dancers from the local St. Vincent Pallotti’s ballet, aguas frescas, Spanish music and more.

While the event is a celebration, it is also an opportunity to promote cultural awareness. Throughout the event, Entra a la Plaza paid tribute to many Hispanic countries, through different foods, music and dances.

Hispanos Unidos usually holds this event during Hispanic Heritage Month, which is Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Entra a la Plaza was originally set for Sept. 28, but was moved to Oct. 26 as a result of scheduling conflicts.

“We really wanted this to be during Hispanic Heritage Month so we could celebrate and educate people,” said Cynthia Rangel, the HU president and junior journalism major from Dallas. “Unfortunately it was during bid night and we had to reschedule for later.”

In order to be more accessible, Hispanos Unidos made it a priority to host the event in the mall area of campus this year. Previously, the event was held in the Hunter Welcome Center.

“We really want Entra A La Plaza to be accessible to everyone,” Rangel said. “We wanted to find a space that was more central to campus.”

During the event, there was a special memorial and moment of silence during the event for past Hispanos Unidos officer Paloma Sanchez, who died this summer.

“We were all so saddened with the news of Paloma’s passing,” Rangel said. “She impacted so many people’s life and was an amazing Hispanos Unidos officer. We are planning on having a box where people can write encouraging words to Paloma’s family.”

Rangel said her favorite part of Entra a la Plaza is seeing the joy on attendees’ faces.