PHOTO: Darren Cordova Y Calor at the New Mexico Hispano Music Awards won 2024 New Mexico “Band of the Year” award. They will be the featured headliner at the 22nd Annual Spanish Fiesta scheduled this Saturday, July 27, 2024 at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds.
Here is a schedule of upcoming 22nd Annual Pagosa Springs Spanish Fiesta activities and events this Saturday July 27.
Sheepherder bronze sculpture ribbon cutting
Location: Adjacent to the Walmart multi-use trail on the northeast corner 3133 Cornerstone Dr.
9am: Artist celebration and brief history and culture discussion with Pagosa Springs Spanish Fiesta committee.
Spanish Fiesta
Location: Archuleta County Fairgrounds 344 US-84.
2 pm: Welcome, fiesta grounds open, vendors open and food/drinks available for purchase.
Presentation of Spanish Fiesta youth scholarship recipients & Archuleta County fair royalty
2:30 pm: Presentation and speeches by Pagosa Springs Spanish Fiesta youth royalty
3pm: Folklorico dance performance by Ballet Folklorico de Durango
3:45pm: Recognition of sponsors, vendors and volunteers
4-6pm: Candace Vargas and NortherN 505 musical performance
6:00pm: Recognition of veterans, sponsors, vendors and volunteers
6:15pm: Folklorico dance performance by Ballet Folklorico de Durango
7-10pm: Darren Cordova Y Calor musical performance
End of Evening Thank Yous & Housekeeping
Join us for the 22nd annual Pagosa Springs Spanish Fiesta this Saturday sponsored by Archuleta Seniors Inc and the Spanish Fiesta committee. This year we celebrate “La cultura cura!” a transformative health and healing philosophy that recognizes the importance of cultural values, traditions and indigenous practices on the path to healthy development, restoration, and lifelong well-being.
Food, music, dancing, libations, vendors, color and good company provide the ingredients of a party to delight all the senses and to make memories for a lifetime.
Kickoff the day’s activities by joining the Town of Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Art Council and Archuleta Senior’s Inc. Spanish Fiesta Committee as we celebrate artist Chad Haspel creation of a bronze sculpture of a sheep herder Saturday, July 27 at 9am, adjacent to the Walmart multi-use trail on the northeast corner. Hear a brief presentation on the history and culture of the Hispanic community and sheep herding in Archuleta County by Spanish Fiesta committee members. Parking is available at Walmart or the Pagosa Peak Open School. Chad crafted this bronze cast to capture the meaningful and authentic history and culture of Pagosa Country, representing a story often overlooked.
Then join us at the Archuleta County fairgrounds starting at 2pm. Come early to catch acknowledgement of the eight youth and elders who received a $1000 Spanish Fiesta BIPOC scholarship from funds raised from the 2023 fiesta and generous donations from local organizations and private donors. A very special feature of this year’s fiesta is the revival of the Spanish Fiesta Royalty youth program. Hear from these youth about the leadership and community service opportunities they have been involved in as they have worked to promote this year’s fiesta. Next up will be two sets of folklorico dance performances by Ballet Folklorico de Durango throughout the afternoon and evening along with music by the talented Tejano singer and band Candace Vargas and Northern 505. The evening will close with musical performances by Darren Cordova Y Calor, New Mexico Hispano Music Band of the Year 2024
Our kids corner is newly expanded and will feature multiple pinatas, face painting, corn hole, giant jenga and more.
This year, nine food/drink vendors with a diverse selection of tasty treats and sixteen artisan craft vendors and community organization booths will be available for you to support and peruse. Proceeds from the 22nd annual Pagosa Springs Spanish Fiesta will support older adults of Archuleta County through the services of Archuleta Seniors Inc and a Spanish Fiesta BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) youth and elder scholarship fund. Admission is for an afternoon & evening from 2pm to 10pm filled with fun for all ages.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate. Handicap parking will be available and a shuttle will be provided for the mobility impaired. Only service animals will be allowed into the event, no pets allowed. No alcoholic beverages or coolers will be allowed to be brought into the event.
Thank you to our volunteers and sponsors for helping to revive and celebrate the rich, diverse heritage of Archuleta County.
The Spanish Fiesta committee is still looking for a few more volunteers so if you are interested and available please check out our online signup genius link, or call 970-264-2167 or email rosa@psseniors.org.
Join Us to Learn About the Sunshine Vitamin
A sunny day is a good day, right? Did you know there is a connection between your mood and Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin? Join us for Fresh Conversations to learn more about this connection and how to get more Vitamin D into your diet. Fresh Conversations is a monthly discussion about relevant health information for adults 60 years and older. You will get a newsletter with resources and tips to take with you as well as a tasting of some delicious, nutritious food. Please join us Wednesday morning July 31, 2024 at 10 am at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. in the Pagosa Senior Center dining hall to learn more and gather with community members. This is a free seminar.
Tai Chi Thursdays
The Pagosa Senior Center is offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (meet at the gazebo in Yamaguchi park 684 S 5th St, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147) to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life. Tai Chi Chih is not a martial art, but rather a tool for self-healing. Softness, flow and effortlessness are the guiding principles in this practice. All classes will be free for older adults (age 55 and better) and will last approximately 1 hour at the park through October. No special special clothing or equipment is required. For more information call 970-264-2167.
Senior Conversations
Join us Mondays at 1:15 pm for a series of “Senior Conversations” with local Bill Salmansohn. He will lead the group through mindfulness exercises and discussion of various topics pertaining to aging in Archuleta County. Explore and discover for yourself answers to your questions and concerns. Hold space and show up for sacred conversation. The meeting will be held at the Pagosa Senior Center in the dining hall. Snacks will be provided.
Farmers Market Vouchers for older adults (age 60+) are available!
If you love to shop at the Pagosa Springs Farmers Market, are 60 or older, or if you are 200% of poverty please call Deb Herera of the San Juan Area Agency on Aging at 970-403-2164 to put your name on the list for $50 in vouchers to redeem for local foods. Then visit the Pagosa Farmers Market any Saturday during the growing season (starting July 6 – end of September) to redeem your vouchers with local food artisans and growers in southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico. The Pagosa Farmers Market in 2024 will now be located in their new location on Pagosa Springs Main Street at the Tennyson Sculpture Garden & Park on Lewis St from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.
Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Friday.
Open to All. Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den aka Community Cafe in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Fridays downtown at the Ross Aragon Community Center between 11 am and 1 pm weekly. Pickup is available all week including Fridays. For those 60 or older we request a suggested donation of $6.00, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10.50 charge for guests under the age of 60.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, July 25 – Crispy Cod Fish w/ Tartar sauce, Green Beans, Garden Salad, Pistachio Fruit Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Friday, July 26 – Korean Beef w/ Basmati Rice, Broccoli, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Monday, July 29 – Pork Ragu over Creamy Polenta, Sauteed Zucchini, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Tuesday, July 30 – Perfect 10 Cod Fish, Broccoli with Hollandaise, Dinner Roll, Garden Salad, Fruit, Orange Blossom Muffin, Milk.
Wednesday, July 31 – Beef Frito Pie, Green Beans, Cornbread, Garden Salad, Fruit,Vanilla Pudding, Milk.
Thursday, August 1 – Greek Chicken Wrap, Cucumber Salad, Spanakopitas, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Friday, August 2 – Eggplant Lasagna, Garlic Toast, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Grab-N-Go & Dine-In Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00 am the morning of the day you want to dine in or pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $6.00 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.50 also. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to make a reservation.
Meals on Wheels
We deliver fresh Meals on Wheels five days a week (and provide frozen Meals on Wheels for weekends) to homebound Archuleta County residents. Call or text us at 970-264-2167.
Support Our Seniors
Please support our ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/ (donation button). Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors, Inc. We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs.
For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.