26th Annual Fiesta to Take Place at Ilfeld Auditorium
LAS VEGAS, NM — The Department of Languages and Culture at New Mexico Highlands University invites you to join them on Sunday, April 14th at 2 PM for the Fiesta De La Hispanidad, a popular event that features artists and performances that showcase Northern New Mexican culture. Tickets go on sale on March 25th.
The Fiesta de la Hispanidad will feature such artists as Abe Garcia, Brenda Ortega, and the students of Don Cecilio, Meza Union, Luis E. Armijo, and Tony Serna Elementary Schools.
This year, the Fiesta is headed by Norma Venezuela, the Department of Languages and Culture Chair. Venezuela says, “The whole department is involved from the students, to our tutors, to our professors It’s important for everyone to be involved. It’s exciting to have so many local school children participate.”
Venezuela Is also pleased with the event is returning to the community: “We had to shut down the Fiesta in 2020 due to Covid. The Fiesta only returned in 2023. President Minner’s office has graciously helped sponsor us to keep the Fiesta for another year. This event funds scholarships for students in the Spanish program here at Highlands. It’s as important for them as it is for the community.”
The Fiesta was founded by Sara Harris, the former Highland University Spanish language professor emerita, in 1996 as a way to celebrate the rich Hispanic culture and language in this area. It has featured many prominent New Mexican artists over the years and has become a wildly popular event in the area.
The 26th Annual Fiesta de la Hispanidad will be sponsored by the NMHU President’s Office, Abraham’s Tiendita, NMHU Foundation, the Spanish Club, the Language Learning Center, and Sigma Delta Pi.
For more information, contact Norma Venezuela at nvalenzuela@nmhu.edu. Tickets are $5 and go on sale March 25th, 2024. Tickets are on sale Monday through Friday 8 Am – 5 PM at Douglas Hall Rm. 234, Cash Only. Tickets will also be sold the day of the event.