Welcome everyone to the new school year, the end of summer, the State Fair and Fiesta Day Parade. So much anticipation is in the air: kids starting a new school year, families planning schedules, with time for just one more bash. There’s a lot going on in Pueblo before Labor Day, when we’ll finally settle into a fall routine of cooler weather, work, school projects and sports.
The diversity and gifts of our state of Colorado will be on display throughout this upcoming State Fair, 150th the anniversary. In particular, the theme of this year’s Fiesta Day Parade, History and Tradition: History and Tradition will highlight the joyful diversity of the Pueblo community with bands, floats, dancers, cowboys, charros, youth clubs and service organizations. Beginning at 10 a.m. on Northern Avenue, the parade will be the closing tribute to the state fair, as it has been for the past 55 years.
At 8 a.m. that morning, in preparation for the parade, we will gather for our traditional bilingual mariachi mass at Ray Aguilera/Minnequa Park. People travel from far and wide to reunite with families, friends and community to pray, sing and celebrate at this Thanksgiving Mass, a fitting start to the day’s festivities and the closing of the state fair. We will praise and worship God in the open spaces of the park, honoring our local traditions and giving thanks for our many blessings.
The Fiesta Day Committee has done an amazing job keeping the tradition going through the Covid crisis. Ivan Reyes is to be commended for building on the work of his father, Henry, as well as Susan Huertas and many others, making this cultural event unique to Colorado. This year a new event is called Exhibition of Folkloric Ballet, featuring four dance groups, will be presented at the Pueblo Bank & Trust Pavilion at the fairgrounds from 1-3 p.m., following the parade. A day full of activities to be sure.
What makes this holiday special is the recognition given to young Hispanic women for their service to faith, family and community. $10,000 in scholarships have already been awarded in this year’s Fiesta competition, thanks in part to the June 18th Night out. These scholarships go to young women who will make a difference for the future. Pueblo should be especially proud of this year’s Holiday Queen, Lexi Williams. Lexi is entering graduate school at UNC, studying to become a professor of International Relations, concentration in Latin America. Other young women honored with scholarships are Marisa Diaz Bonacquisti, Dulce Garcia and Kaydence Sandoval.
Come join us for Mass, prayer and great music! Let God be a part of your day of celebration. Meet these young women who will be our future leadership. Our holiday brings together cultures of friends, friends based on faith, friends united in prayer. Our Mass Pavilion will be located right in Ray Aguilera Park, where you can then grab a burrito and walk over to see the parade in all its glory!
The Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg is the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Pueblo
