Española Fiesta A Great Success!

The 2010 Española Fiesta was a complete success. While it is difficult to estimate the exact total number of people attending the week-long series of events it appeared that there were more people this year than ever before. According to security, police, vendors and people that ran the carnival the overall consensus was an estimated 12,000 to 14,000 people enjoyed the 3-day Española Fiesta. "All of the events were incredibly well attended and people really valued the agenda," said Fiesta Council President Manny Martinez. "It has been a great Fiesta ride, from the planning, the fundraisers, the business support, the announcement party, the crowning and dubbing at the Santuario, the torch run, the Pre-Fiesta party, the Senior citizens fiesta dance, the fantastic parade, the Gran Baile, the 3-day fiesta event, and the Mariachi Mass. All I can say is that I’m proud to be from the Española Valley."

Kicking the event off on Wednesday night was the Fiesta pre-party designed to introduce the Fiesta court to the local business community and to thank the businesses for their significant contributions to the Fiesta. The fund-raising efforts and the business sponsorships helped make this year’s Fiesta a great success. "This year’s La Reina and Don Juan Oñate and their respective courts are outstanding representatives of our valley," Martinez said. "A lot was asked of these young people and they came through at a level beyond expectation." The court will now represent Española at the Taos and Santa Fe Fiestas scheduled for later this month and September, respectively.

The musical line-up all three days highlighted local talent and many acts from Northern New Mexico. "People love music and really support the very talented people we have from the valley and surrounding communities," said Fiesta Council Entertainment Chair and Vice President Brian Martinez. "Our regional known award winning musicians and local favorites really drew in the crowds." Spanish dancers from Española, Pojoaque and Santa Fe also took the stage with Native American dancers from Ohkay Owingeh Day School.

The 3-day event drew people from Colorado, Arkansas, New York, Minnesota, California, a family from the Caribbean Islands, and people from the valley and throughout New Mexico. The Santa Fe, Taos and Las Vegas Fiesta Royalty Court also attended the festivities. Several people commented on the overall Fiesta event, several were interviewed and the overall comments stated that this was the best Fiesta, best Parade, Gran Baile, great food and a Fiesta court that represented Española with respect and pride.

The organization of the Española Fiesta is done by a group of dedicated volunteers that took almost a full year to plan and arrange. This year’s Fiesta Council did not get any city lodger’s tax which is designated to be used for marketing and promotions of the event. Creative marketing such as the Fiesta Grams to the businesses performed by Mel Martinez and David Garcia helped draw people in. "The support and sponsorships from our local businesses was outstanding," said Manny. "Thank you first to God, my family, the Fiesta Council, our countless volunteers, and most of all the people that attended. We came together has a community, where cultures unite, to put on a great fiesta where families could come together and have a fantastic time. I talked to so many people that were not from Española, that love and appreciate our valley. The Española fiesta was about Family, Traditions, Culture, Community and Youth and all were represented respectfully."

Website courtesy of Valley National Bank

Music courtesy of Brian Martinez, "Mundo Sin Guitarras" Website design and creation: Richard L. Rieckenberg, The Footloose Photographer © 2010 Española Fiesta. All rights reserved.