Taos News

Fiestas de Taos: The cultural celebration returns

Story and photos by MICHAEL TASHJI mtashji@taosnews.com

Hundreds of Taoseños came out to pray, drink and dance for Fiestas de Taos on Friday (July 23), continuing the more than 100-year-old tradition despite limitations forced upon the beloved event by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Packing the typically three-day festival into a single night was the only way organizers could host the celebration — a move that was made possible after the governor lifted the pandemic restrictions July 1.

“We had a tremendous response from the community,” said Kathleen BranchalGarcia, treasurer of the Taos Fiesta Council, days before the event. “They’re excited to come and celebrate. They’re wanting to dance, wanting to celebrate life. We’re so grateful that we we’re finally able to do it and get it underway.”

The Fiestas de Taos celebration was canceled last year due to the pandemic. Event organizers said they were hopeful that the full three-day festival would return next year.

The event began with a Fiesta Mass at San Francisco de Asís Parish in Ranchos de Taos. The Royal Court led a processional, accompanied by the Knights of Columbus, and took their seats in the front pew.

The Rev. Michael Garcia celebrated the Eucharist, saying to those in attendance, “We are grateful for the richness and diversity in our culture. Faith is expressed in culture.”

Branchal-Garcia, a parish member for many years, read the Ten Commandments from the Book of Exodus (Chapter 20:1-17), and Taos’ Mariachi Calór led the congregation in song.

Taos County Commissioners AnJanette Brush and Darlene Vigil were in attendance, along with Taos Mayor Dan Barrone.

As rain began to fall in the church courtyard after the service, attendees did not linger for long, and made their way to the Sagebrush Inn Conference Center to celebrate the Gran Baile.

Typically, the Fiestas de Taos is held in the Taos Plaza, where scores of booths line the streets,

selling food and novelty items to thousands of attendees. The booths would pay a fee to set up for the weekend, defraying the cost of the celebration.

But at the Sagebrush, there were no booths. Instead, Taos Fiestas Council sold tickets to the event, which cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door. With a maximum capacity of 500 at the convention center, the group looked to make around $10,000.

“This wasn’t going to be free for us,” said Branchal-Garcia, who, along with the other 23 Fiestas Council members, volunteers her time. “Every year, we depend on

the booth sales of the of the Fiestas to fund the following year’s Fiestas. And so, we needed to raise some money.”

“In any given year, the Fiestas Council’s budget is around $50,000,” said Don Francisco Trujillo II, who serves as president of the council. In 1982, Trujillo was a caballero in the Fiestas de Taos, and has been with the organization ever since.

He went on to explain that the Fiestas are owned by the Town of Taos, and the Taos Fiestas Council responds to a Request For Proposal (RFP) each year to run the event on behalf of the town. Taos typically

puts around $15,000 into the event for operational expenses.

Trujillo led the Royal Court onto

the dance floor at the Sagebrush Inn Convention Center, while the Spanish music band El Grupo Mezcal played on stage.

“Que viva Taos!” he cried as the music wailed and the dancing kicked off. Men with cowboy hats and women with concho belts packed together in a raucous and jubilant dance line that snaked in, over and through itself.

As the celebration continued, Mezcal played, “Driving on over the Horseshoe Pass is the most incredible view. There’s a sweet little town – everyone calls it Taos. I’m proud to call it my home.”

NEWS

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2021-07-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://taosnews.pressreader.com/article/281492164352866

Santa Fe New Mexican