One of the largest cultural events of the year comes to MiraCosta College Aug. 12 when the Latino Book & Family Festival makes a stop at the Oceanside Campus. The free festival, expected to attract more than 5,000 guests, will be the biggest gathering of authors in the region and a perfect back-to-school kickoff for families.

 More than two dozen workshops, along with family entertainment, exhibits, a bilingual story time and multiple vendors selling food, will offer something for every attendee.  Workshops will cover topics for children, students, parents and aspiring authors. More than 60 published authors will be on hand to discuss their books.

 The festival is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with plenty of free parking available throughout the day.

MiraCosta College District Superintendent/President Dr. Sunita Cooke will be on hand to introduce guest speakers, including former U.S. Ambassador Dr. Julian Nava and Carlsbad native and bestselling author Victor Villasenor. Nava, a longtime history professor at Cal State Northridge, was the first Mexican-American to graduate from Harvard and he became the first Mexican-American to hold the position of U.S. Ambassador to Mexico when he was appointed to the post by President Jimmy Carter in 1980.