The Center for Multicultural Education (CME) and the International Student and Scholars Office (ISSO) will be teaming up to host the First Friday and Ethnic Food Celebration. The event will take place in the CME located in Maucker Union on Oct. 2 from 7  to 11 p.m.

“First Friday’s at the CME are modeled after the First Friday events popular in over 35 cities nationwide such as Chicago, San Antonio and Kansas City,” said Jackelin Rangel, program coordinator for First Friday. “On the first Friday of each month the CME hosts a free immersive celebration of art, food, culture and community.”

ISSO invites students to join them for Brazilian foods and the CME’s Cultural Corner. The Cultural Corner will consist of various activities for everyone to participate in such as Dia de los Muertes paintings, 5-minute massages, salsa dancing, pumpkin decorating and a Loteria (Mexican bingo) sponsored by the Hispanic Latino Student Union.

“Additionally, students will have a chance to “browse through our Cultural Corner and visit different Latin countries as well as Latina/Latino figures,” said Rangel.

According to Rangel, these two organizations have come together in order to enhance the engagement of the student body, as well as offer a regular social event for students to participate in cultural appreciation and community engagement.

“Our student staff, ‘the CME Ambassadors’, Jenny, the CME secretary, and Elizabeth, the CME GA, have worked all month long to piece this together, from the handmade decorations to researching of the Latin Countries,” said Rangel.

According to Rangel, the main goal for the event is to bring together all cultural backgrounds on campus in the celebration of a specific culture through the use of engaging, fun activities, educational lessons and indulging in ethnic food.

“We are excited to see this come to life and hope that everyone has a memorable experience,” said Rangel.

First Friday is a “punch card event” which means students who attend will be given a punch card and will receive a punch every time they attend a CME event. Once students have 10 punches, they have a chance to win prizes such as a meet and greet with Laverne Cox from “Orange is the New Black” on April 13.

First Friday is a free event to all UNI students, staff and faculty.