COCC cancels Latinx Fiesta Celebración, set for Saturday, out of ‘abundance of caution’ over safety concerns

Third local cultural event called off in recent days

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Another local cultural event has been canceled due to safety concerns, the third in recent days: Central Oregon Community College's Latinx Fiesta Celebración, which was scheduled for this coming Saturday.

On Monday, April 7, the Latino Community Association canceled this fall's Central Oregon Latino Fest in Madras and the Father's Group called off its Juneteenth Celebration at Bend's Drake Park, both over safety concerns and a "volatile political climate."

Here's COCC's full announcement, received by KTVZ News Tuesday afternoon:

Central Oregon Community College regrets to share that the 2025 Latinx Fiesta Celebración, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 19, has been canceled. While we were looking forward to gathering in celebration of Latin American cultures, this difficult decision was made out of an abundance of caution and in alignment with similar decisions by community partners, as well as COCC’s core values of safety, inclusion and community well-being.

We recognize the importance of cultural celebration and the opportunity this event offered to uplift and share Latinx voices, stories and traditions. To those who were planning to attend — we see your excitement and we share your disappointment. Rest assured, COCC remains committed to celebrating Latinx cultures in meaningful ways and looks forward to bringing this and other community events to life in the future, when the environment allows us to do so with the safety and support all attendees deserve.

Text from original press release (April 2):

With dancing, crafts, piñata-breaking and a banquet-style meal that showcases the flavors of Brazil, Cuba, Perú, Colombia and other Latin American countries, Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) Latinx Fiesta Celebración will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, at the Coats Campus Center on the college’s Bend campus.

This is a family-friendly event, free and open to the public, organized by the COCC Latinx Student program and Latinx Club, and with partnership from the High Desert Museum and the Deschutes Public Library. Attendees are encouraged to park in COCC’s Barber Library parking lot.

Beginning with story time — read in both English and Spanish — along with ceramic drink coaster painting, the Mexican board game loteria, piñata-breaking and other activities from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the event features a complete lunch of Latin American flavors from 12:30-2 p.m., with dessert provided by students of COCC’s Cascade Culinary Institute, and then music and dancing from 2-4 p.m.

Lewis & Clark College’s Freddy Vilches, Ph.D., an associate professor of Hispanic studies and a talented multi-instrumentalist musician, will provide live Latin American music, accompanied by student musicians, to offer an opportunity for dancing.