Fiesta to honor languages

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — In just a little more than two weeks, the 13th Annual Fiesta de Colores celebrates Hispanic culture and traditions here.

Paul L. Milan, an organizer of the annual event said the festival was created in 1995 because there was a need felt by many parents in the area to bring back those things special about the Hispanic culture and traditions for the youth of the area.

The festival is set for May 3-6, and while May 5, the traditional Cinco de Mayo celebration date is during the festival, it is not that celebration, Milan said.

The theme this year is "La persona que habla dos idiomas vala por dos," meaning "A person who speaks two languages is worth two persons," Milan said.

That phrase is used throughout Latin America, and teachers and parents in those countries encourage many youth to learn two to three languages, he said.

"The festival is a tribute to the bilingual programs in the Grants schools this year," Milan said.

Bilingual teachers in the schools are working hard, he said, and many students are benefiting from these programs.

Festival de Colores
All events take place at the St. Teresa Catholic School's community center unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, May 3

• 7-9 p.m., Music at Kearns Park in Milan.
  
• 8 p.m., The burning of the Malpais Man (Lummis) at Kearns Park in Milan. It is a tradition that is honored in many countries, primarily Mexico and Spain, Milan said. Sometimes there are many effigies that are burned as part of the tradition of purification.

Friday, May 4

• 5:30 p.m., Hispanic art show; after hours celebration with the Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce.
  
• 6 p.m., Opening ceremonies
  
• 7 p.m., King and Queen coronation, sponsored by the bilingual programs at Grants Schools. The Circle of Success program begins. Those individuals who have contributed greatly to youth in the area are recognized and presented to the public in a ceremony. Those individuals have already been chosen, Milan said.
  
• 7 p.m. (Continued), Also at this time, musical performances begin, including mariachis and a variety of Hispanic dance groups, this year recognizing Vera Cruz, Mexico. Singer Antonio Reyna will perform. Earlier in the day, at 2 p.m., the dance groups will perform for 55 minutes at Grants High School.

Saturday, May 5

• 11 a.m., Art show continues. The traditional procession from Riverwalk Park to St. Teresa Catholic School begins. Milan said it takes about 20 minutes to walk the 3/4 mile distance and there are no floats like a parade, only people."We want people to participate,"he said. Last year there were about 100 people in the procession. Once arrived at the school, Aztec dancers will perform.
  
• 1 p.m., Dancers perform.
  
• 2 p.m., Roberto Mondragon will tell stories and sing songs of New Mexico. Mondragon is a former Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico and an Hispanic historian.

Sunday, May 6

• 11 a.m., A mariachi mass will be celebrated. The Mariachis will being performing at 10:45, and will continue for 45 minutes after mass, which begins at 11 a.m. This ends the Fiesta de Colores.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin, call (505) 287-2197, or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.