brooke@gilavalleycentral.net
THATCHER – If you are to have an afternoon out with the family, it’s always best to spend your money on a good cause.
Saturday was the Second annual Hispanic Family Heritage and Scholarship Fund benefit at the Bashas parking lot. The event began at 5 p.m. and was an evening filled with music and dancing. A percentage of the money from every aspect of the evening will be transferred to Eastern Arizona College and given to students over the semester.
One of the men in charge of the scholarship fundraiser, Michael Andazola, said the event was bigger than the previous year. Above everything else, Andazola wanted to thank everyone involved.
“I’m really proud of the turnout that we’ve had,” he said. “I want to bring the community together, have everyone work together and make this a very successful community event.”
Multiple vendors sold everything from kettle corn to bedazzled hats. Politicians strolled through the crowds taking pictures and mariachi bands sang to people as they walked past. There was also a beer garden on the premises sponsored by the American Legion, and children played all afternoon on giant jumping castles set up on the side of the tent.
The La Compania de Danza Folklorica dance troupe and the Mariachi Sol Azteca traveled from Tucson to perform. Also, an Eastern Arizona College dance class performed, along with the dancers of Rose Hill Wellness.
