Santa Fe Fiesta ushers in a new era

By Santa Fe Fiesta

Santa Fe Fiesta, Inc. and other parties have reached an agreement to retire the annual Entrada de Don Diego de Vargas, and President Melissa Mascareñas intends to sign a new resolution that will set aside the contentious pageantry.

“The Santa Fe Fiesta, Inc. supports the decision by Los Caballeros de Vargas in retiring the Entrada. We look forward to ushering in a new era of commemorating New Mexico families,” said Melissa Mascareñas, President of Santa Fe Fiesta, Inc.

“We have deviated from the original intent of honoring Nuestra Senora de la Paz,” said Mascareñas. “We regret the suffering, trauma and pain the Pueblo people endured.”

This is the first of many steps that will allow generations of Santafecinos to set aside painful actions, while affording us an opportunity to focus wholeheartedly on the original intent of the 1712 proclamation, which called for masses, sermon, vespers and procession through the plaza,” said Mascareñas.

The City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Fiesta, Inc., The Archdioceses of Santa Fe, Los Caballeros de Vargas and the All Pueblo Council of Governors, which is comprised of 20 sovereign Pueblos, have actively participated in a facilitated dialogue to retire the annual Entrada de Don Diego de Vargas which is produced by Los Caballeros de Vargas, a fraternal organization based in Santa Fe.

“Santafecinos have long been proud of their city’s heritage developed through the merging of the Native American, Spanish, Mexican, Asian and Anglo cultures,” said Mascareñas.

The evolvement of Santa Fé has produced a tradition of colorful music, vibrant dance and song, together with a spirit of friendliness, hospitality and acceptance, she said.

“This encompasses what the Fiesta de Santa Fé represents and seeks to preserve and perpetuate annually,” said Mascareñas.

Fiesta de Santa Fe commences on Labor Day weekend with a Fiesta Fine Arts and Craft Market on the Plaza and a mariachi concert at The Santa Fe Opera, followed by three days of free music on the Plaza Bandstand starting Sept. 7, a Children’s Pet Parade on Sept. 8 and concluding with a Candle Light Procession on Sunday, Sept. 9. A comprehensive schedule is available at santafefiesta.org.