Ever since she moved to Washington, Maria Diaz has missed the vibrancy of Hispanic communities and their celebrations.

On Whidbey, where she has been living for 10 years, Diaz noticed a wide variety of people from all over Latin America — many brought by the Navy — though they might not be as visible.

“Most of them you will find in church,” she laughed.

In an effort to bring together fellow Hispanics and recreate that lively atmosphere, the local real estate agent spearheaded the initiative to launch a festival held every year during National Hispanic Heritage Month: “Dia de Fiesta,” which in English translates as “Day of Celebration.”

After last year’s debut event, Dia de Fiesta returns to Pioneer Way in downtown Oak Harbor from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, welcoming community members of all heritages to enjoy some live entertainment and Latin flavors. The event has also come to be with the help of the Oak Harbor Main Street Association, the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and other local sponsors.

The event kicks off with music by DJ Alvarez, followed at noon by Mexican American singer and songwriter Shannon Patiño, who some might remember from Main Street’s Buskers on the Corner shows. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., DJ Alvarez returns to bring music for the Latin dance lessons, where anyone can learn a few dance moves.

From 2:30 to 3 p.m., kids can smash Piñatas before admiring a colorful and hypnotizing traditional dance performance by Mixteco Folklórico at 3. From 3:30 to 5, the Mariachi Colima will bring brass and string instruments to end the festival with a bang.

While enjoying the entertainment, community members can choose from a variety of food vendors from Whidbey and beyond who will bring Hispanic foods.

Diaz, who comes from Mexico, plans to eventually bring performers and food vendors from all over Latin America. In the U.S., she said, many tend to assume Latinos are from Mexico based on their skin color, ignoring the 32 other Latin American countries that exist.

She hopes the festival will not only be a safe place for Latinos to celebrate their heritage, but also a fun educational opportunity for non-Hispanics.

For more information, visit oakharbormainstreet.org and search “Dia de Fiesta.”