A party is set for next month to celebrate the cultural diversity of New Mexico.
The annual Fiesta of Cultures: All Cultures of New Mexico, a family-friendly event, will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19 at Coronado Historic Site.
Fiesta of Cultures features cultural performances, live animals, a community ofrenda/offering display, kiva tours and food and art vendors. The event is presented by New Mexico Historic Sites, The Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites.
“New Mexico’s cultural landscape is as vibrant and rich as it is complex and deep-rooted,” Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites Regional Director Katrina Gallegos said in a press release. “Fiesta of Cultures explores this reality through dance, food, demonstrations, and tours. Alongside our stalwart Friends group, we welcome the community to our site and invite people to immerse themselves in ‘history where it happened.’”
According to the release, the fiesta will include performances by The Wilde Bunch Square Dancers, an LGBTQ+ square dance group from Albuquerque, Pueblo Enchantment Dancers from Acoma Pueblo, Van Hanh Vietnamese Lion Dancers and Son Como Son Cuban salsa band. The event will also feature animal demonstrations from Llama del Sol and On a Wing and a Prayer bird rescue, tours of the site’s reconstructed kiva, and a community ofrenda display for visitors to share photos to remember loved ones who have passed on.
Local vendors who specialize in art, crafts and jewelry will also be on hand. Food trucks, including Manko: Native American Fusion, will be available in the parking lot.
The Department of Cultural Affair’s Wonders on Wheels mobile museum will offer tours of their exhibit “Growing New Mexico/Creciendo Nuevo México,” traveling from the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces.
Fiesta of Cultures is open to the public and is $10 per person and free to Friends of Coronado and Jemez members, Museum of New Mexico Foundation members, Native/Tribal affiliations, disabled veterans, and foster families. Tickets are available for advanced purchase at my.nmculture.org/32482/32490 or at the event. For a full schedule, visit media.newmexicoculture.org/event/6290/.