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Garden City Fiesta

Garden City Fiesta in 1938The Garden City Fiesta, known as "La Fiesta," originated in 1926. A newspaper article dating to that time stated that: ". . . at about 10 a.m. a procession of cars . . . and decorated in the national colors of Mexican and of the United States passed up Seventh street . . ." This celebration was to commemorate Mexico's independence from Spain. During this event people from all over Kansas joined in the festivities. At the time two organizations celebrated the fiesta, the Honorary Mexican Commission and the Mutual Society of Benito Juarez, all in their own manner.

The fiesta queen ceremony was introduced in 1929 with the first coronation honoring Delores Avila. Throughout the years, additional ceremonies were added such as the raising of both the American and Mexican flag, parades, dances, and raffles. In 1968 the fiesta committee began to set aside some of its funds for scholarships to be used by Mexican American students, the first recipients being Albert Bribiesca and Elaine Munoz.

Entry: Garden City Fiesta

Author: Kansas Historical Society

Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.

Date Created: June 2015

Date Modified: July 2017

The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.