FRIENDS OF CORONADO News:
BERNALILLO — After a four-year hiatus, the Friends of the Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites (“Friends”) are hosting their 15th annual “Fiesta of Cultures” (“Fiesta”) – one of the only festivals that celebrates the rich cultures of New Mexico.
The event will take place at the Coronado Historic Site in Bernalillo, NM between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct 21. There is no charge to attend the family-friendly event.
“Although we are a state comprised of many different and wonderful cultures, the ‘Fiesta of Cultures’ is unique in that it recognizes the customary food, art, music and dance of New Mexico, including the Native American, Hispanic and Anglo cultures that have played a role in our state’s history,” said Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites’ president Sherry Hardage. “Although our cultures are diverse, we are united through our environment, history and humanity.”
Doors to the Site open at 10 a.m. with an all-day art and crafts show featuring well-known artists such as Ralph Sarracino and Adrian Wall. Various artists will lead live demonstrations in everything from wood carving to horno bread baking and kachina carving, to name a few. The Site’s new horno is sure to be a popular spot with free samples of fresh, warm bread. Food trucks will be available and include unique flavors by Jemez Pueblo Foods, Busy Bee Frozen Custard and Vicky Tortalita’s.
Cover band, “Bad Habit and the Enablers” will bring their unique sound to the event beginning at 10:30 a.m. followed by performances by the Spanish Broom Flamenco Dance Troop at 2 p.m. Attendees will have a chance to win works of art donated by Fiesta artists through a raffle that benefits the Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites Group, who supports the site. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5.
Children’s activities will include arts and crafts workshops, a chance to see wild birds up close through a bird rescue organization, among other activities.
The Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites originally started the Fiesta 15 years ago in an effort to support Coronado Historic Site’s educational efforts. In years past, the event has included everything from flintknapping workshops to Spanish colcha embroidery, blacksmithing, natural plant dyeing, storytelling, and more.
Coronado Historic Site was established in 1940 and houses the remnants of a Tiwa village and is an active archaeological site. The site was named for the Spanish explorer, Coronado, whose expedition came to the area around 1540 AD. The Site’s visitor center exhibits artifacts from the Kuaua settlement, the original kiva murals and features a reconstructed painted kiva depicting those murals, a gift shop, and interpretive trails offering spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains and Rio Grande.
The Bosque provides a beautiful backdrop of fall colors. The Site has recently undergone significant renovations since the last Fiesta in 2019. Improvements include more handicapped accessible walkways, renovated restrooms, new museum exhibits, a new horno, and a new interpretive signage and artwork in the video room.
The Site is at 485 Kuaua Road in Bernalillo, one mile west of Bernalillo along N.M. 550. For more information, contact the Site at 505.771.0416 or president.fchs@gmail.com. For general information about the Site or the Friends of Coronado & Jemez Historic Sites, visit https://www.kuaua.org/
