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By Yolanda Najera-Ewing
St. Francis Church Fiesta Committee is well on the road to preparing for the community’s 37th Annual St. Francis Church Fiesta scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 and 18, on the church grounds at Church Avenue and Main Street.
First on the committee’s agenda is raising seed money for the 37th Annual Fiesta. To that end, they have scheduled the 4th Annual Fiesta Golf Tournament for Saturday, June 11, at Queen Valley Golf Club approximately 3 miles north of U.S. Highway 60 turn-off. The tournament is open to the public and, in particular, for anyone who enjoys playing golf.
Registration will begin prior to tee-off at 7 a.m. The registration fee, which includes lunch, is $45. In addition to the lunch, breakfast burros will also be sold. Sponsorships for a donation of $50 each are needed for all 18 holes of golf. Sponsors can then elect to have the name of their business, organization or family placed at the individual golf holes.
Monetary donations, donations of food and of giveaway items are needed as well as volunteers to help register players, to cook, to sell tickets and to set-up. Those interested in participating in any of the above, or in registering for the tournament, are asked to contact St. Francis of Assisi Church office at 520-689-2250.
Another top priority for the Fiesta Committee is the selection of a theme for this year’s fiesta. Last year’s theme was “God’s Work – Our Hands.” Other themes have included “Joy in Serving,” and “Let There Be Peace.” A number of themes are being considered, and it is hoped that one can be selected which will incorporate, “Year of Mercy,” the theme selected for 2016 by Pope Francis. A selection is needed as soon as possible in order to start advertising and ordering items for the fiesta. Suggestions can be turned into the church office or at the next Fiesta Committee meeting set.
This year, the committee has decided to open fiesta royalty to young men as well as young women. Anyone interested in being a king candidate or queen candidate is asked to contact Fiesta Royalty Chairperson, Marcella Garcia. She can be reached at 480-939-1313 or through the church office at 520-689-2250. Candidates are urged to contact Marcella Garcia as soon as possible as candidates will start their fund raising very quickly.
Another urgent need is that of a Fiesta Entertainment Chairperson. Anyone interested is asked to call the church office. Mariachi recruitment must start now as many groups contract appearances as early as February and March.
All booth chairpersons are reminded that they need to plan fund raising to help with the expense of their booth. Chairpersons are still needed for the following booths: menudo, empanadas, and burros. Again, call the church office if you are able to volunteer.
St. Francis of Assisi Church pastor, Father Samuel Jandeh, is looking forward to presiding over the Annual Church Fiestas Patrias. Father Jandeh, along with the Fiesta Chairpersons, stressed that all members of the community are invited to attend the Annual Fiesta with their friends and family as well as any out of town visitors.
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