Thousands of Austin families crowded the North Lamar Event Center to attend the annual “Feria Para Aprender” Saturday. The event, also known as The Learning Fair, helps Hispanic parents get more involved with their children’s education.
The Learning Fair started in Austin five years ago and has since become the region’s largest gathering of Hispanic parents supporting education.
“A lot of parental support helps our children be successful,” attendee Gracie Esquivel said. “If we can bring parents here and they see firsthand how they can impact their students, that’s very beneficial.”
This year, ozens of groups, including Austin Community College, offered interactive demonstrations. That included two NASA space centers, a mobile planetarium and a 40-foot “science truck.”
“So they can see what math and science is all about,” ACC advisor Vidal Almanza said. “Electronics, renewable energy and also engineering; why it’s important.”
Students were also able to learn, along with the parents, about opportunities in education.
“My number one college is here, Sam Houston,” student Adriana Velazquez-Martinez said. “My plan is to be a lawyer or criminal investigator, something along those lines.”
Word has spread quickly about the fair. Last year, 10,000 students and parents attended. This year, fair organizers believe even more came out. Now, other U.S. cities are taking note, like Los Angeles, and are holding similar events.
“It doesn’t matter where we come from, or what status or economic status or if our parents didn’t go to college.” fair vendor Nallely Sotelo said. “It’s an option for anybody."
