Mexican Fiesta turns clock on second century

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FORT MADISON - The 101st Mexican Fiesta gets underway today at the Mexican village off Avenue Q in Fort Madison.

The festivities kick off today starting at 4 p.m. with the GotchaGames Carnival at 4 p.m. The beer garden opens at 4 p.m. nightly until close.

There are no wristbands this year, so carnival rides are ticket-based and tickets can be purchased on-site.

Bluzillion, the 5-piece band from Southeast Iowa, will be the featured band Thursday night with music starting at 7 p.m.

This year's coronation of the Mexican and American queens will be held as usual starting at 6 p.m. Friday night with an invocation and blessing from Father Joseph Phun and a welcome from Fiesta and city officials. 

Cathy Ramirez will sing the national anthem and an honor guard will present the two nations' colors.

Crooked Cactus Band, bringing a mix of Latin and Classic rock, is the featured band Friday and Saturday night, and will play from 8 p.m. to midnight.

This year's queen and princess court features two queen contestants and three vying for Fiesta princess honors.

Angela Salazar, the secretary of the event, said the food lineup will be very similar to last year with one new vendor coming in for 2022.

"I think it's going to end up being about the same. The same ones from previoius year, and at least one new one."

The festival has also added a program for kids on Friday in coordination with Lee County Conservation.

Salazar said kids will get to learn about the Monarch butterfly's annual migration to Mexico.

"The conservation department is coming down at about 11 on Friday for that. And they're doing another program. We think Holy Trinity is bringing a group of second and third graders down to be a part of that presentation," Salazar said.

She said there will also be some banners up for selfies that feature historic Mexican Fiesta personalities.

Salazar gave a heads up to Sal Gonzalez for getting the festival toilets fixed.

"That mean's a lot and we need to especially thank him for that," she said.

Dawn Salazar has made an artist's rendering of angel wings in the green, white, and red colors of the Mexican Flag that people  can shoot selfies with, as well.

"This is a very neat painting and we think that's a big deal for people who want to shoot selfies of the festival," Salazar said.

More than 30 youth dancers will be performing each night, and Salazar said they have been "practicing like mad" and the shows will be very good this year on both Friday and Saturday night at around 6 p.m.

The festival is also raffling off several  items for people who supported the queen ticket efforts including a Yeti cooler.

A beer is just $4 a can during the festival this year.

Mexican Fiesta, Fort Madison, queens, princesses, beer garden, carnival, event, celebration, heritage, news, Pen city Current,

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