by 
Pablo Rodriguez cooking for the Fiesta.
Nina Crowder | Miner
Beautiful and talented musicians perform at the Blessed Sacrament Fiesta.
Nina Crowder | Miner
Many people enjoy the musical at the Blessed Sacrament annual Fiesta.
Nina Crowder | Miner
Little mariachi violinist practicing at the Fiesta.
Nina Crowder | Miner
Even the local police enjoying the Fiesta Food.
Nina Crowder | Miner
The music and pleasant atmosphere added to the success of the Blessed Sacrament Church’s annual Fiestas in Mammoth. Even the weather cooperated for a nice fall day.
It was an enjoyable evening with events, music, food, booths and vendors for the young, middle and older generations. All the performers were energetic and certainly brought the audience to life.
Folks from all over the Copper Corridor, from Oracle to Kearny, attended the fiesta held annually in Mammoth. The Fiestas Patrias commemorates the Grito de Dolores (the Cry of Dolores), which was the event that marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain.
On September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla a Roman Catholic priest in the small town of Dolores ordered the church bells rung and when the parishioners were gathered, he encouraged them to revolt. Four days later the town of Guanajuato was taken by a makeshift army led by Hidalgo beginning the revolt that would lead to independence. Hidalgo was captured in July and executed.
The Fiestas Patrias is celebrated throughout Mexico and in the United States of America in areas with large populations of people of Mexican heritage. In the Town of Mammoth and the Tri-Community, the celebration has been an annual event. At one time the Fiesta Patrias was a huge event in Mammoth. According to a San Manuel Miner newspaper in 1962, the event was a three day celebration and they were expecting 15,000 visitors to attend. There was a large parade, sky divers, music, dances, food, entertainment, baseball and softball games. Delegates from the Mexican Consulate attended as did many local politicians. People from around the state and Mexico would attend.
This year, the crowds were entertained by Ballet Folkloric Del Sol, Mariachis Corazon de Tucson and, local favorite, Mariachi Genero Moreno.
Blessed Sacrament Church has hosted many successful events in this small community from swap meets, Fiestas and the walk for The Day of The Dead. Not only do the events bring folks closer to one another but it reminds them of the dignity of each human being and to support and protect others from the many forms of harm. It is important to value and cherish each other.
An upcoming event for Blessed Sacrament will be The Walk For The Dead to honor and cherish the ones who have left us; look for more information regarding this event and other events to follow.
Thank you for everyone who took the time to participate in this event and for the continued community support!
Nina Crowder is a resident of Mammoth. She volunteers in several local organizations. She covers events throughout the Copper Corridor and Superior Town and School governance.
by by