For many years, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in San Saba has been celebrating a fall festival, and it was usually held in October. The festival is to promote community fellowship and financial support for the parish.
Over the years, the festival has been known by different names, but mostly as the Jamaica and now as the Diez y Seis Celebration. The unknown, undocumented history of the name Jamaica, led some to believe it was because of the Jamaican folklore pride and spirituality or the “Out of Many, One people” motto, but others believed it did not have any derivation from Jamacia, that it was Spanish for rummage sale and gathering.
Despite the meaning of the event name, it was changed in 2020 when the Church and the City of San Saba combined the Church’s festival with the City’s Fiesta Patrias celebration. The joint event is now named the Diez y Seis de Septiembre, held in the City’s beautiful Risien Park, and appropriately held on a date closer to the 16th of September; this year it is being held on September 14.
Under whichever name, the traditions continue, the event is for the community, a fundraiser for the church, and in celebration of Texas’ extraordinarily rich history regarding the cultural and blended heritage of Texans.
Texas was a part of Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and we are a part of the United States.Therefore, celebrating the Dieciséis de Septiembre is a part of the Texas experience. The Diez y Seis Celebration is therefore themed for the Mexican American culture; come out and celebrate all our freedoms, enjoy some delicious Mexican and American dishes and join in fellowship with games and entertainment. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and other activities include loteria, a soccer competition, car show, a silent auction, a queen contest, a raffle, music, and a dance in the evening to wrap-up the activities.
As an integral part of this celebration, three young parishioners are vying for the Queen of the celebration. Liliana Carbajal, Yarely Gonzales, and Juanaracey Martinez, are our queen candidates.
A 9th grader, Liliana Carbajal is the daughter of Erica Guerrero and Tristan Owens; an 8th grader, Yarely Gonzales is the daughter of Olli and Becky Olavarria and Jesse Gonzales; and a 10th grader, Juanaracey Martinez, is the daughter of Juan and Laura Martinez. Please support these young women. In their quest for queen, they will be selling raffle tickets from now until the day of the event. You may contact these ladies or the church office for tickets.
Hope that you come join in the celebration, see you there.