​The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana and Lake D’Arbonne State Park are hosting the 9th Annual Dia de la Familia: Family Fun Day.  This family fun day is planned for Saturday, October 19th at Lake D’Arbonne State Park in Farmerville, LA from 3:00 PM-7:00 PM.  There will be free entrance to the park for all attendees that day.
  
What began as a fundraiser for a local Hispanic church with 150 attendees has continued to grow to 460 people in attendance in 2018.  This event promotes healthy living fitness as well as the features and activities available at the state park.  It also celebrates the growing number of Hispanic families in Union Parish and serves as a fundraiser for local Spanish speaking churches who prepare authentic Hispanic dishes on site.
 
This year’s scheduled activities include ponies, a petting zoo, clown show as well as a soccer tournament and food contests.  Attendees will have the opportunity to win door prizes throughout the event, connect with local agencies and organizations in the resource area and participate in interactive activities in Kids Area and Teen Zone. 
 
The Children’s Coalition’s Healthy Living Coordinator Mary Barrios says “We are so excited to be hosting our 9th annual event!  We have had such amazing support from our community, state park and our partners.   We invite everyone to celebrate with us at our family friendly event.”
 
Sponsors for this year’s event include title sponsor, Healthy Blue, Reeves Memorial Medical Center, Union General Hospital, Mabry Construction, CommuniHealth(Morehouse Community Medical Center), Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Origin Bank and Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates.
 
For additional information, please call Mary Barrios at 318-323-8775.

The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana invites residents of Union Parish and beyond to experience Latin culture at the annual Día de la Familia!
 
Following the first Día de la Familia event in Ouachita Parish, Union Parish is proud to host its 9th annual Día de la Familia event from 3-7 p.m., at Lake D’arbonne State Park on Saturday, October 19th.
 
This year the normal $3 admission fee has been waived, meaning attendance is free! Participants can expect to enjoy a DJ, door prizes, a burrito eating contest and much more!
 
​Beside the burrito eating contest, there will be a wide variety of authentic Latin cuisine such as tacos, tamales and gorditas.

UNION PARISH, La, (KNOE) - In Union Parish, the Hispanic community came together for a day of family fun.
Saturday, was their 8th annual Dia de la Familia at Lake D'arbonne State Park.
Organizers say their goal is to celebrate the Hispanic culture in Northeast Louisiana and bring resources to the community.
The day was filled with food and fun for the entire family.
"Let the community also know that the Hispanic population is here, is present and that we want to share our culture and everything with them,” said Wendy Comfort, who went to the event.
The event was hosted by the Children's Coalition of NELA and a host of sponsors including Healthy Blue, who were providing free screenings.

The Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana hosts the Dia de la Familia Saturday, September 19th at Lake D’Arbonne State Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mary Barrios says the Coalition aims to promote a healthy living and physical fitness. Fitness will be very evident at the family fun day with a color walk/run set for 8:30 AM. Registration for the walk/run begins at 8 a.m.
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Besides the walk/run kicking off the day the event will also include live music, authentic Hispanic food, and kids zone.
The day originally started as a fundraiser but it transformed into a day to promote the Hispanic community as well as active lifestyles.

With almost 500 people last year, the Children's Coalition expects even more people this year.

A healthier lifestyle is promoted in Dia De La Familia.  The 5th annual event is celebrated Saturday at Lake D'Arbonne State Park.

Children's Coalition of Northeast Louisiana Healthy Living Coordinator Mary Barrios describes the day as an opportunity to promote resources about a healthier lifestyle, "but we also wanted to have the community together, to identify ways for families to be more active and to be outside.  This event is a perfect fit."

Along with games and activities for kids, an interactive station is set for the younger crowd.  Kayak instruction, live music, and authentic food made onsite can be enjoyed by adults.
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Barrios says in addition to the area's Hispanic community, those interested in family activities and outdoor recreation are welcome to attend.  The celebration is from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Lake D'Arbonne State Park.