St. Mary’s Fall Festival, NHH Month

  • Dancers from the Folkloric de Bendiciones during last Saturday’s event. Courtesy of Festival Committee
    Dancers from the Folkloric de Bendiciones during last Saturday’s event. Courtesy of Festival Committee
  • These men are ‘volunteers’Payasco got from the crowd while Payasco was entertaining the adults. Courtesy of Festival Committee
    These men are ‘volunteers’Payasco got from the crowd while Payasco was entertaining the adults. Courtesy of Festival Committee
  • arachi Ilusión is shown here performing last Saturday. Courtesy of Festival Committee
    arachi Ilusión is shown here performing last Saturday. Courtesy of Festival Committee
  • Payaso is seen here entertaining the children. Courtesy of Festival Committee
    Payaso is seen here entertaining the children. Courtesy of Festival Committee

    September is National Hispanic Heritage Month (NHH), and St. Mary’s acknowledged it a little different this year. The church’s annual fundraiser festivities provide entertainment each year, but Sunday, September 14, was a little different.

    After much turmoil in the community due to the recent floods, fellowship seemed extra important this year. The organizers rallied, last minute, to provide three major traditional Hispanic entertainers for the festival. This was an opportunity to give the community something in hopes of dismissing the troubles of the floods.

    Local businesses contributed in making this possible. They all come together to bring this entertainment to San Saba. An invitation was extended to the community for them to grab their lawn chairs and join the festivities. These sponsors were ready to give their community a good show.

    Folkloric de Bendiciones of San Antonio provided an awesome demonstration of Hispanic folkloric dances, while Luis el Payaso from St. Teresa Catholic Church of Bryan, Texas, entertained children and adults with his humorous payasadas. Closing the entertainment with cultural traditional music was Mariachi Ilusión from Temple/Belton.

    The activities started around noon and continued throughout the day. The crowd also had the opportunity to purchase some delicious traditional Hispanic foods and drinks, such as chicharrónes, street tacos, elotes, Mexican enchiladas, gorditas, and aguas frescas, along with more foods and snacks. But there was more than entertainment and delicious food, there was a silent auction and a raffle.

    Raffle winners were:

    • Juan Macedo - $1,000 gift card (donated collectively by the family of Apolonio Coronado, the family of Celso Martinez, the Ladies of St. Mary’s and 3 anonymous donors)

    • Lupe Macias - $500 gift card (donated by the family of Juan & Candelaria Martinez) • Aaron Martinez - $250 gift card (donated by the family of Stan Weik) 

    • Leslie Aguirre - $250 gift card (donated by Father Rafael)

    • Martha Vega - a beautiful quilt and MK purse (donated by the San Saba Quilters Group) 

    The children enjoyed several games such as the ring toss, fishpond, and treasure hunt to include a few of the children’s games happening under a tent provided by Blaylock Funeral Home. But there was more: funnel cakes, fresh fruit cups, yummy snow cones, refreshing cold drinks, popcorn, mini pancakes, desserts from the sweet shop and several others. The lollipop tree, faithrock painting, the cake walk, the country store were more activities to enjoy. Hold on though, the car show paraded around the park loop to give spectators a good look at their fun/classy vehicles before stopping in to enjoy the activities. This celebration in observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month would not be possible without the community’s support.

    Please join us in thanking all the sponsors that brought this entertainment to you and the volunteers that operated the booths.

    May you continue to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month throughout September and early October, and we look forward to seeing you next year.