Fiesta Latina de Tenis Event Set for October 1

Anelisse Garner wanted to better engage the Latino community in tennis when she began her full-time role as community sports coordinator for the City of Springfield earlier this year. She’s already making good on that vow, as Garner is coordinating a Fiesta Latina de Tenis event for October.

With the backing of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Cooper Tennis Complex, Garner is set to put on the all-new event Saturday, October 1 at Gillenwaters Tennis Complex near Kickapoo High School. The fun-filled night focusing on the Hispanic/Latino population will run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

“I am super excited — so far it’s one of the events I’m the most excited about,” Garner said. “Just because I’m going to be able to reach the Latino community here in Springfield. I’m hoping we’re going to be able to give away a bunch of scholarships to some of the kids so they can try to play tennis and just have a good time here.”

Kids and adults are welcome to attend the family-friendly event at Gillenwaters, which features 12 lighted outdoor tennis courts. All equipment will be provided, so participants can come as they are and enjoy the festivities.

“We chose the time because the community we’re targeting — a lot of them work in construction,” Garner said. “We’re giving them a chance to finish their day at work and bring the kids over by 6:00 p.m. We’re going to have a bunch of games and giveaways, and we’re going to also have scholarship applications for the kids.”

Prizes and handouts will include kids’ tennis racquets, T-shirts, drawstring bags and passes for park amenities such as the Jordan Valley Ice Park. The Fiesta Latina de Tenis event is running as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S., which takes place September 15 through October 15.