The Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites Presents: Fiesta of Cultures Celebrates Diverse Cultural Fabric
of NM
- Oct. 19 with Expanded Hours
- 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
- Location: Coronado Historic Site: Location: 485 Kuaua Rd Bernalillo, NM (505) 867-5351
Throughout The Day:
- Animal demonstrations: llamas,
raptors, turkeys - On a Wing and a Prayer Bird Rescue
- Kiva Tours and Community Ofrende
for Loved Ones - Juried Arts & Crafts Vendors
- NM Farm & Ranch Creciendo NM
BERNALILLO, NM—The Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites is hosting their 16th annual “Fiesta of Cultures” – the only event of its kind in the state to celebrate all cultures in one event. The event will take place at Coronado Historic Site Held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. Fiesta of Cultures features cultural performances, live animals, a community ofrenda/offering display, kiva tours, food and art vendors and more.
“New Mexico’s cultural landscape is as vibrant and rich as it is complex and deep-rooted,” said Katrina Gallegos, regional site manager for Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites. “Fiesta of Cultures explores this reality through dance, food, demonstrations, and tours. Alongside our stalwart Friends group, we welcome the community to our site and invite people to immerse themselves in ‘history where it happened.’”
The event includes cultural performances by LGBTQ+ square dancers, the Wilde Bunch, along with Pueblo Enchantment Dancers from Acoma Pueblo, Van Hanh Vietnamese Lion Dancers, and Son Como Son Cuban salsa band. The event will also feature animal demonstrations from Llama del Sol and On a Wing and a Prayer bird rescue, tours of the site’s reconstructed kiva, and a community ofrenda, or offering, display for visitors to share photos to remember loved ones who have passed on.
For the first time since its inception, the Friends group has expanded the Fiesta hours and increased their juried arts and crafts show to 45 vendors whose art, crafts, and jewelry are reflective of New Mexico’s unique culture and heritage. Food trucks, including Manko: Native American Fusion, will be available in the parking lot. Fiesta of Cultures is open to the public and admission is $10 per person and free to Friends of Coronado and Jemez members, Museum of New Mexico Foundation members, Native/Tribal affiliations, disabled veterans, and foster families.
Tickets are available for advanced purchase online at https://my.nmculture.org/
32482/32490 or at the event. Those wishing to become a Friends member will gain access at no charge to the Fiesta. To become a Friends member visit https://
www.coronadojemezfriends.org/membership For a full schedule of activities visit https://
media.newmexicoculture.org/event/6290/.
Fiesta of Cultures is sponsored by the Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites,
Museum of New Mexico Foundation, and Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel. Artist
demonstration sponsored by The Wilde Bunch. The event is funded by the Town of
Bernalillo Lodgers’ Tax. Metal the Brand, Kakawa Chocolate House, and The Range Café have also leant their support to the event.
About Coronado Historic Site
Coronado Historic Site and the ruins of Kuaua Pueblo are located in Bernalillo, with the scenic Rio Grande and Sandia Mountains to the east. In 1540, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado entered the Rio Grande valley somewhere near this site while searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. Instead of treasure, he found a dozen Native farming villages. The site shares the complex history between the Indigenous Tiwa People and the Spanish explorers. Visitors can learn more about this history at the Visitor Center Museum, as well as explore the footprint of the Kuaua ruins, a reconstructed kiva, and
ancient Kuaua kiva murals. Learn more at nmhistoricsites.org/coronado.
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