Hundreds visited Santa Fe Park to celebrate the 108th Chanute Mexican Fiesta on Saturday, Sept. 20.
The formal festival program began with both the American and Mexican national anthems. The “Star Spangled Banner” was sung by Anni O’Dell. Monica Melendez sang “Mexicans, at the Cry of War,” in honor of her parents, Connie and Nacho Melendez. The flags of both countries were raised by retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class David Colter.
The Procession for Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Catholic tradition recognizing the Virgin Mary appearing before a man named Juan Diego several times. Diego was later declared a saint. The Chanute Mexican Fiesta also recognizes this tradition. According to Tom Alonzo, the fiesta committee president, Rocky De La Torre has carried a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe for many years. This year, his grandson, Matthew Clounch, carried the statue beside him. They were joined by fiesta royalty, members of Bailadores De Chanute, and attendees.
After the procession, the Chanute Mexican Fiesta royalty were officially presented. Mayor Jacob LaRue was given the honor of crowning the court: Little Prince, Adan Coronado; Little King, Trayson Colter; Little Queen, Kamila Coronado-Morris; Princess, Yareli Medrano; and King, Alex Ogle, and Queen, and King, Alex Ogle..
After the coronation, Vargas Cervantes gave her acceptance speech in both English and Spanish. She first extended gratitude to her family and community.
“I appreciate my family so much because they hustled so hard for me to win, but not so much for me to win. It was a way to express how much we love to be Hispanic,” Vargas Cervantes said. “I will never be ashamed of being a first-generation Mexican- American.”
She highlighted other aspects of her family enjoying their heritage, such as her mother’s love for dancing, her brother’s appreciation for lowriders, and her father’s dedication to coaching soccer.
She also noted that because of her heritage and her ability to speak multiple languages, her career is more fruitful.
“Without being Hispanic… I wouldn’t be getting paid more in jobs like I do now. I wouldn’t be in college to find my passion in bilingual social work. I wouldn’t know how to work hard and sacrifice a lot because of the extra complications Hispanic families have to face every day,” Vargas Cervantes said. “So when I succeed, we all succeed. We do it for those who can’t. So thank you so much. I am so grateful to know this culture.”
Father J.D. Betzen of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church then said a prayer over the festival in both English and Spanish.
This year’s celebration was dedicated to the family of Rocky and Vera De La Torre. Alonzo said Rocky had been a volunteer for the festival since he was a child. Over the years, he built stages and platforms, was a committee member, and led the Procession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Vera was a fiesta dancer, was crowned the Chanute Mexican Fiesta Queen in 1968, and served as a trustee for Chanute Mexican Fiesta. Their children and grandchildren have gone on to dedicate time to the festival each year as royalty escorts, royalty candidates, and carrying capes. Many have also served on the fiesta committee.
Music and dancing were also central to the celebration. Mariachi Jalisco performed in the early afternoon to the bustle of attendees and vendors. During the evening program, Bailadores De Chanute performed several numbers. Grupo Folklorico Izcalli, a Kansas Citybased troop, performed cultural dances from several regions of Mexico, including Veracruz, Calabaceado, Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Colima.
In other traditions, the “El Grito De Independencia” was performed by Ricardo Vargas. It is a reenactment of when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave a call to arms, also known as the “Cry of Dolores,” which incited the Mexican War of Independence from Spain. This reenactment is typically done on the eve of Mexican Independence Day, Sept. 16, by the president of Mexico.
After this, the first dance for Fiesta Royalty and the Court of Honor was held. Then, the floor opened for the community to dance the night away to the tunes of LA45, from San Antonio, Texas.
This celebration is an annual Chanute tradition, which began in 1917 with Reyes Brisuela, Julio Verdin, Martin Ramirez, and Theodore Ramirez.
To learn more about the Chanute Mexican Fiesta, visit the Chanute Mexican Fiesta, Inc. Facebook Group.
