Fiestas Highlights Culture and Celebration

From the Las Vegas Optic

During the first week of July, thousands make their way to Plaza  Park for the annual Fiestas de Las Vegas. It’s the biggest,  brightest and most anticipated event in the Meadow City.
This year marks the fiestas’ 121st. Inez Gallegos-Lujan, president  of the Las Vegas Fiesta Council, said the theme for 2008 is  “Nuestras Tradiciones — Nuestros Tesóros.”
The vendors surround Plaza Park and line up on Bridge Street,  providing visitors with traditional eats such as Navajo tacos,  roasted corn on the cob, fajitas, beans, hamburgers and much more  that can all be, of course, ordered with that New Mexico staple,  chile. Or for those with a longing for sweets, there’s candy,  caramel apples and cotton candy.
The aroma of the food fills the park as locals and visitors alike  gather to hear traditional music live. The gazebo serves as a  bandstand — and a dance area for those who like to get their boots  moving.
Many of the area’s top talents — dancers, singers and bands —  perform from morning into the night.
The fiesta is a traditional celebration, preserving the area’s  language and tradition for both young and old.
The highlight of the celebration includes the crowning of a reina,  or queen.
An annual parade also adds to the excitement.
A fiesta mass kicks off the celebration at Our Lady of Sorrows  church in Old Town. The queen candidates, family, friends and  mariachi then walk in a procession toward Plaza Park. There the new  Reina de Las Fiestas is crowned. She will then begin her year-long  journey of representing Las Vegas.

Fiesta Memorial Run

The 2009 Las Vegas Fiesta Memorial Run, including all ages, family events, will take place Friday, July 3. The 5K walk and 5K run will start at 7 a.m. at the San Miguel County Fairgrounds on Hot Springs Boulevard west of Las Vegas. The 10K run will start at 7 a.m. at  the United World College in nearby Montezuma. The adult entry fee  is $30.
For entry blanks, please visit our web site at www.JogToner.com or  call Joe Whiteman at 454-8221 or contact the Las Vegas Fiesta  Council at P.O. Box 836, Las Vegas, NM, 87701.
The one mile children’s run will start at 8:15 a.m. behind the  Plaza Hotel. The entry fee for children is $10. The children’s run  has a family flavor in that parents or guardians can run with a  little child as far as they like.
All kids who participate will get a medal. Awards for adults will include trophies, medals and engraved tiles. Everyone will get a T- shirt.
Many participants will be remembering the Las Vegas runners who  have died in the past year. Any proceeds over expenses will be  donated to the Dana Konno Scholarship Fund for Nursing Students.  The group also memorializes runners such as Pablo Read, Jon  Schlosser, Dave Wesner, Zach Pappas and Alfonso Silva, who were  instrumental in the continued success of the memorial run. Last  year more than 300 runners, including 100 kids, took part in the  fiesta event.

Annual Fiesta Fishing

‘People Helping People’
Annual Meadow City Aerie #3815
Kids’ Fishing Derby
6-11 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2009
at Harris Lake

The Fraternal Order of Eagles invites all kids ages 5-12 to come  try their luck at the annual Meadow City Aerie 3815 Kid’s Fishing  Derby.
  The event will be held at the Harris Pond, located northeast of  Las Vegas (behind the Las Vegas Civic Center). The Derby will begin  at 6 a.m. and end at 11 a.m. on July 4.
  Prizes to be awarded to the lucky fisherman/fisherwoman are as follows:

(1) Grand Prize: $150 gift certificate to Wal-Mart
(2) First Runner Up: 24” bike & girl’s bike
(3) Second Runner-ups: $50 gift certificate to Wal-Mart
(10) Consolation Prizes to lucky participants: fishing rod and  tackle box combos

  All participants will receive a grab bag at the beginning of the Derby. Grab bags will have different items for the young fisherman  at heart.
  For more information, call the Fraternal Order of Eagles at  425-6465, 429-2194 or 429-2002, or the Chamber of Commerce at  425-8631. Larry Paiz as the contact person for the Fishing Derby.
  Thanks to the Las Vegas Fiesta Council, the Chamber of Commerce,  City of Las Vegas, New Mexico Game & Fish, and all the volunteers  who are assisting to make this a grand event.