Community meets for fiesta

STAFF WRITER

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Community interaction is what sticks out according to attendees of the St. Helen Catholic Church Fiesta.

The fiesta continued Saturday at 10 a.m. with food, games and music. The weekend kicked off on a high note with a successful reverse raffle drawing Friday night, according to fiesta co-chair Emma Britton.

Staff photos: Kurt Munz-Raper

From left, Florntino Baca, Joe Cordova and Candio Tafoya, who form the group Los Tres Compadres, perform at the St. Helen Catholic Church Fiesta Saturday morning.

“We had a heck of an attendance,” said Britton. “We sold a little over 600 tickets.”

Fiesta committee member Olympia Chino said the raffle was a risky proposition that paid off tremendously with $50,000 raised.

In addition to the successful fundraising, attendees and parishioners said the community interaction and the fun activities were major highlights.

“We enjoy — I guess it’s a little of everything,” said Nath Baca who brought her daughter Adri, 8. “The music — they have different groups and that’s always enjoyable, and it’s supporting the church.”

Baca, a parishioner for St. Helen, said her daughter looked forward to the game booths and added the food is a big attraction for non-church attendees.

“I think they enjoy everybody else having a good time,” Baca said. “Just the fellowship — people getting together for the church and then inviting the community.”

Tony Garcia attended the fiesta for the first time just after moving to Portales with his family, including his great-great-nieces Emaline Ramirez, 2, and Cordelia Ramirez, 4.

“The train ride was great,” said Garcia. “They (Emaline and Ramirez) went everywhere. And it’s for a good cause. I hope people come on out before they go to the big game.”

Church parishioner Melissa Flen agrees the train rides were the best part for her son Carson, 2.

“I think you get a good feel of the community of St. Helen,” said Flen. “It’s just becoming more fun for me.”

Melissa Sparks said her five-year-old daughter Cynthianna loves to interact with other children.

“It gives the kids things to do (and for) families (to) get together on a Saturday,” said Sparks who attended the fiesta for her third year. “It’s just our church community getting together to help raise money for our church.”

Church parishioner Kathy Hale agrees getting the community together is the one thing staying consistent in her 27 years being a member of the church.

“This is kind of like a family gathering for us,” said Hale, reiterating the fiesta’s purpose of celebrating the feast day of the church’s patron saint, St. Helen.

“I think that most people enjoy the food and most kids enjoy playing the games,” said attendee Matthew Garcia, 10. “My favorite part is the cake walk.”

Johnny Cordoba, an Eastern New Mexico University student, volunteered for the fiesta.

“I know from the college student perspective that it decreases the age cap,” said Cordoba. “It’s nice to be able just to interact with everybody.”

The fiesta continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.