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Seward County waives Activity Center fee for HALO’s "Celebrate and Connect Fest"
Summary
The Seward County Commission approved a fee waiver for the Hispanic American Leadership Organization’s (HALO) proposed Celebrate and Connect Fest at the Seward County Activity Center on May 4, 2025. The student-led event aims to showcase Hispanic/Latino cultural businesses and raise funds for club leadership programs.
Seward County commissioners voted to waive the facility fee for Celebrate and Connect Fest, an expo proposed by the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) at the Seward County Activity Center on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
HALO presenters said the event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is intended to showcase local businesses that serve the celebration and events industry. "We scheduled Sunday, 05/04/2025 from 11AM to 8PM," said Nubia Rodriguez, identified to the commission as HALO president. HALO representatives told commissioners they plan to invite vendors such as photographers, florists, cake bakers, caterers and other celebration-focused businesses; vendor participation was described as potential, not confirmed.
The students said the event would charge no admission and would charge vendors a $150 booth fee with a $75 down payment to secure space. Organizers estimated roughly 25 vendors and "about a thousand people" in attendance and said they expected to raise about $4,000 to support HALO’s leadership-development activities and conference travel. HALO’s sponsor and an instructor at Seward County Community College identified herself in the meeting as Dr. Avalos and said the club seeks to increase college-transfer rates among Hispanic/Latino students by providing leadership and exposure opportunities.
Commissioners asked about outreach beyond Liberal. HALO said they had contacted more than 15 potential vendors across the Southwest Kansas region, including from Dodge City and Garden City, but that the lists presented were prospective. Commissioner Hill asked about HALO’s track record for students transferring to four-year programs; Dr. Avalos replied that the club is relatively new under her sponsorship, that specific transfer rates for club members were not available, and that, based on her research on first-generation Latino college students, transfer rates generally are low.
After the presentation, Commissioner Scott Carr moved to waive the activity-center fee for the Celebrate and Connect Fest; Commissioner Abbott seconded. The commission approved the waiver by show of hands.
HALO members thanked the commission and said proceeds would be used for future leadership programming, scholarships and student travel to conferences. Organizers emphasized that vendor lists were not finalized and that exact attendance and revenue figures were estimates.
The commission’s approval covers the facility fee only; other permits, vendor agreements and event logistics remain the responsibility of HALO and Seward County Community College. Organizers said they will return with any additional details as they finalize vendors and programming.
