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231st annual Our Lady of Belen Fiestas set for next week
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BELEN—The annual Our Lady of Belen Fiestas — which is one of the most well attended events in Valencia County — will be held on Aug. 16-18.
The theme for this year’s Fiesta is “The Lord Will Bless Me At All Times.”
The annual OLB Fiestas, which is 231 yeas old, is an event where the community comes together and includes something for everyone — bingo, a carnival, the parade, cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, a chile cook off, a car show, live music every day and, of course, those famous green chile Fiesta burgers.
This year’s Fiesta padrinos, Fernando and Jessica Sisneros and Panfilo Gallardo and Julisa Gomez, are honored to act as ambassadors for the church and are happy to serve the parish and the community.
“I’m excited and honored,” Fernando said. “It’s an honor to be part of a tradition that’s been in our church and community for so long. It’s very humbling.”
While baptized in Abo, N.M., at the St. Alice Parish, Fernando has received all of his other sacraments at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, including his marriage to his wife, Jessica.
“It’s an honor,” she said of being a padrino. “It’s something that’s been going on a long time, and (I’m happy) to keep it going and being able to see all the people from the church coming together.”
For Fernando, his favorite part of the Fiestas is visiting with friends and family; but for Jessica, it’s the smells and being able to dance.
Panfilo said it’s the job of the padrinos to clean and decorate the church, but this year will be a bit different.
“In the past, the color of the flowers were always blue, white and gold, but this year they will be white and red,” Panfilo said.
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With Fernando interpreting, Julisa said Father John Kimani wanted the flowers to be his favorite colors — red and white.
Julisa said they’re proud to be able to represent the church at this year’s Fiestas, and to be part of the tradition.
“It’s a blessing,” Julisa said.
“It’s a blessing to represent the congregation of Our Lady of Belen,” Panfilo said. “It’s a big responsibility, and we’re looking forward to the Fiestas.”
Bryan Mascarena, the longtime entertainment coordinator for the Fiestas, said the lineup this year is one of the best ever.
“Every single group coming to Belen are either an award-winning group or a hit-making group,” Mascarena said. “Some of the groups performing this year are Str8 Shot, Candace Vargas and NortherN 505, Maiya, Peter Vigil, Northern Revolution, Jonathan Chavez band and much more.”
Friday is local talent night, featuring Belen’s own Back in Time, Isabel Molina and Cisne dance group.
“We also have the biggest carnival of any church fiesta in the state along with a car show. There are plenty of vendors also,” he said. “We are expecting crowds in excess of 10-15,000 people from all over the Southwest. This is a family-friendly event.”
Apollonia Sanchez, 11, a candidate for princess, won the art contest with her drawing of Jesus holding a baby lamb, which coincides with the theme of this year’s event.
“I decided to draw this because the Lord is our shepherd and He’s with us at all times,” Sanchez said. “We’re the sheep. It took me 30 minutes to an hour to do it.”
