Fiesta Mexicana shares culture, strengthens community

July 13, 2017

  • Ballet Folklorico de Topeka begin the opening dance of their first performance for Fiesta Mexicana on July 12. Ballet Folklorico de Topeka is a local dance company performing year-round.

  • Ballet Folklorico de Topeka preserves Mexican and Latin culture through music and dance. The dance company will also perform July 14 and 15.

  • Carnival worker poses for a photograph. Fiesta Mexicana contracted Heart of America Carnival Shows to provide entertainment for the festival.

  • Attendees finding thrills on a carnival ride. During the festival, rides open at 6 p.m. and will close 11 p.m. on weeknights, but will remain open until midnight Friday and Saturday.

  • Lines form in front of vendors at Fiesta Mexicana. A number of vendors, partners and enterprising residents sold goods and authentic Mexican cuisine.

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Fiesta Mexicana celebrates Mexican culture from July 11 to 15 in the neighborhood around Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, with the help of community volunteers, organizes the festival every year to benefit Holy Family School, a Roman Catholic elementary school. The first Fiesta Mexicana occurred in 1933 and what was once a single day event on church grounds has grown into week-long festival with numerous sponsors, stretching into the surrounding neighborhood.

Fiesta Mexicana features live entertainment on two different stages throughout the week, including folk dancers and mariachis, among other performers. Fiesta Mexicana also contracts Heart of America to operate a carnival for the festival.