Mexican Festival marks 50 years with celebration this weekend

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

In 1969, a group of woman, all with Mexican roots, came together with the vision to share their culture and heritage with the Grand Rapids community.

That event — called a Kermés, a combination of food and artisan market with a collection of performances from local artists — has evolved into the La Fiesta Mexicana which will run Friday – Sunday, Sept. 13 — 15, at the Calder Plaza, 300 Monroe Ave. NW.

The very first Fiesta Mexicana featured a parade with horses. (Supplied)

“The first Fiesta Mexicana was organized to be an intimate gathering for people from the local church,” said Mexican Heritage Association President Gabriela De La Vega. “The result was a much larger festivity including horses and a parade through the city.”

De La Vega said she was fortunate to work along side many of the people who were part of that original planning committee.

“Because of them, I continue to be ruled by the same spirit that powered the creation of ‘La Fiesta Mexicana,” she said.

The three-day event is packed with music with two mariachi bands scheduled to perform on Saturday. Mariachi Orr y Plata, which is set to perform 2-4 p.m. and 10 p.m. – midnight on Saturday, and the Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de Mexico is scheduled to perform from 6 – 7 p.m. Saturday. There are several other performances by a variety of bands such as Latinos Klan, Súper Nova, and Banda El Bajio.

There also will be the annual La Fiesta Mexican queen contest, traditional clothes contest, and a Carreolas alegóricas (strollers with Mexican motives). There also will be clowns and a street supermarket (Piñatas).

And of course, what would a 50th anniversary party be without cake, which De La Vega promised a “huge one.”

A tradition at the festival is the crowing of the queen. (Supplied)

“It is within our nature as a community to overcome any situation because we are a group of hard-working people with many different dream and a passion to share our culture and traditions with our community,” De La Vega said. “This is why it’s so important now more than ever to share the great news that we continue to overcome, to be resilient, proud, and grateful about this beautiful city of Grand Rapids.

“I thank our community for letting us celebrate 50 years of tradition, culture, history, perseverance and success.”

For more about La Fiesta Mexican visit the Mexican Heritage Association’s Facebook page. Also participating in this event is the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Kent District Library, and the Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities Inc., which includes the Cook Arts Center and the Cook Library Center.