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Mariachi Genaro Moreno, a local favorite, will perform again at the 2016 Fall Festival at St. Helen Catholic Church in Oracle.
This year’s Fall Fiesta at St. Helen Catholic Church will be on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 beginning with the traditional mass officiated by Rev. Msgr. Ambrose Nwohu with accompaniment by the local Knights of Columbus at 10:00 a.m. The blessing of the grounds and booths will follow immediately after.
The kitchen, and the fiesta, officially opens at noon for the sale of delicious green and red chili, rice, beans, salsa and tortillas; there will also be booths selling delectable food such as menudo, posole, hot dogs, hamburgers, tacos, chicken, nachos and corn-on-the-cob along with treats such as Sno cones, cotton candy and popcorn. Fun activities will include the cake walk, face painting, two piñata games, live fish pond, toy fish pond, helium balloons, balloon dart game and the dime toss game.
The fiesta committee has been working attentively on the entertainment agenda that is sure to be enjoyed by everyone. Local talented groups and individuals traveling near and far will be performing along with two new Folklorico dancing groups. Various raffles for money prizes, expensive art pieces, 50/50 drawings, glassware, baskets or gift certificates are available for the winning.
Musician Jim Ham will be back again to provide sound and DJ music. Jim grew up in San Manuel attending St. Bartholomew Church throughout his childhood. In 1979 he and his family moved to Oracle becoming parishioners at St. Helen Catholic Church. Jim has been playing guitar since the age of 12 with his start in acoustic folk music thanks to his Aunt Leona. He played semi-professionally at the age of 16 with the local band, “Sonidos Del Desierto” providing music for many local parties, wedding receptions and family gatherings. He has played with a rock band from the Phoenix area called “Rock Addix” since 2008. Jim also provides sound reinforcement for any venue just short of a major concert and has been providing the sound system and DJ music for the Fall Fiesta since 2008. Welcome back home, Jim!
Professional Mariachi singer Genaro Moreno will be performing during the celebration mass at 10 a.m. and then again from noon to 1:30 p.m. He started singing at the age of six through the influence of his grandparents in Michoacán, Mexico. Genaro moved to Mammoth when he was 11 years old and continued his singing performing at the Lion’s Club as well as for several Mammoth fiestas. The first Mariachi band he sang with was Mariachi Valencia from Tucson of which he still performs with today. The highlight and beginning of Genaro’s career was performing for his idol, Vincente Fernandez. Throughout his musical career he has opened for many great Mexican artists such as Los Tigres Del Norte, Little Joe, Tierra Tejana and Antonio Aguilar. While these performances have sent him through several states, he loves coming back to the Tri-Community and his hometown of Mammoth to sing for all the people that have helped him along the way. Bienvenido de vuelta a casa, Genaro!
Mariachis will perform at this year’s Fall Fiesta in Oracle this weekend.
Mariachi Alma Mexicana from Tucson will be performing from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. This talented, mood setting group under the direction of Rick Murillo has amazing instrumental skills and beautiful vocal talent. They arrive decked out in the traditional Mariachi flair and perform a venue of music ranging from the traditional to Patsy Cline. Singer and violinist Victoria Sanchez will charm you with her angelic voice and harmonious backup from the rest of the group. Mariachi Alma Mexicana has performed for several years now for this festival. Bienvenido de vuelta por petición popular!
The Oracle Folklorico Dancers, under the direction of Danielle Maestas will be performing from 4:30 – 5 p.m. These youngsters range in ages from 6-12 and have been requested to perform at special events in SaddleBrooke, school functions and church events. Previous director, now retired, Suzie Smith stated that Danielle was a student of the group for many years and that she was proud to pass down the duties of the “Maestra” to her. These little ones will appeal to your heart in their colorful dresses and hair ribbons. Welcome!
Folklorico dancers will perform at this year’s Fall Festival in Oracle.
The talented Ballet Folklorico del Sol dancers from Eloy, AZ will perform from 5–6 p.m. These young ladies perform at several events including the Fiestas Patrias – Corazon De Latino Unidos in Eloy. This grass root organization of fine dancers are dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich Hispanic culture. The group was established in 2013 with five students and have since grown to twenty-five. They are a nonprofit donation based group led by Maestra Anissa Castillo. They pride themselves in being able to bring culture and joy to all. Gracias por viajar tan lejos para compartir su talento con nosotros!
Father and son musicians, Frank and Rocky Martinez will be performing from 6-7 p.m. Both these fine musicians are known due to their vocal and instrumental skills. Frank and Rocky have been playing music together for over 17 years. They play a variety of genres but mainly traditional country standards mixed with upbeat oldies. Thank you both for adding to the venue of talented musicians.
Traveling from Douglas, AZ is Banda Gemini. They will be performing from 7-11 p.m. The band will be performing their instrumental and vocal songs including cumbias, corridos, romanticos, country, tejano and classic rock. During the time that this talented band is not driving from Douglas to Oracle, they are performing at events such as Douglas Days, the Cochise County Fair, weddings, parties, Mammoth Fiesta and other events. Their performance is the highlight of the fiesta where the crowd dances and continues their good time well into the night. Pararse y bailar o cantar tus canciones favoritas jugado por esta gran banda.
Please stop by on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 at the St. Helen Parish – Oracle Fall Fiesta to enjoy delicious food, great entertainment, perhaps win a raffle or prize and enjoy good company. See you there!
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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