Belen
The community will be gathering in Belen for the 209th annual Our Lady of Belen Fiesta this weekend. This year’s theme is “A Church and Community United in Faith.”
Beginning Wednesday morning with the chile-peeling party, in preparation for the fiesta chileburgers, workers will gather at 9:30 a.m. at the parish hall.
On Wednesday evening, the Fiesta Queen will be crowned and the Fiesta Padrinos and Fiesta Parade Marshal will be introduced after the 7 p.m. vesper service.
Fiesta Queen candidates this year are Natalie Garley and Teresa Armijo.
This year’s Fiesta Padrinos are Steve and Melissa Contreras and Janet and Max Montaño. Susie Gabaldon is this year’s Fiesta Parade Marshal.
Morning Mass will open Thursday’s activity at 7 a.m. The Fiesta Mass, procession and reception will begin at 7 p.m.
Friday marks the beginning of the fiesta, with the carnival and booths opening at 6 p.m. Performing on stage will be Danza Carino from Santa Fe, followed by Eloy Padilla and Ron Ortega with the Prime Time Band until 9 p.m. when Anthony Rosas and Emerald Blue will continue until the grounds close at midnight.
On Saturday, Aug. 17, activities begin with the parade. It will begin at 10 a.m. at the Belen Recreation Center and follow a route north on Main Street to Church Street and onto the church grounds.
Bill’s Kustom LTD Car Show will begin at 11 a.m., with awards presented at 1 p.m. Other awards will be presented at 11:30 a.m. at the carpa. Booths and carnival will open at 4 p.m.
Entertainment will begin at 4 p.m. with Teles Baca y los Sonidos. At 6:15 p.m., Boardwalk Gymnastics will perform, followed by Los Alegres at 7 p.m., Amber Anaya at 7:30 p.m. and Cyrstal Renes Sena at 9:30 p.m.
Music by Querida de Española will fill the air from 8 p.m. to the closing of the fiesta grounds at midnight.
Evening Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. There will be no sacrament of reconciliation or mission Mass.
Sunday will open with the morning Mass in Spanish at 8 a.m. There will also be Masses at 10 a.m. and noon.
The Religious Education CCD burrito breakfast will begin at 8 a.m.
In the afternoon the fiesta grounds will be open beginning at 1 p.m. The Baby Derby will be at 1 p.m., with the chile contest at 4 p.m., dance contest at 5 p.m. and basketball throw contest at 6 p.m.
Music will be performed by Johnny Benavidez y Los Cuatro Amigos who will take the stage from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., followed by Simon Lucero at 2:45 p.m. and Amber Felicia at 3:15.
Nitefall of Socorro will take the stage from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Jerry Jaramillo and the Brown River Band will perform from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with Mari Griego singing at 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
The fiesta activities will conclude with the church and queen ticket drawing at 9:30 p.m., with the grounds closing at 10 p.m.
