GOODBYE SEPTEMBER!

Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for September 2010.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for September 2010.

BIENVENIDOS FIESTA LUNCHEON..............

It's time for the Bienvenidos Fiesta (September) Luncheon..................

Alice is ready to go........

And Angie is looking forward to today's festivities as well......

DeVargas and La Reina are special guests today..........

It is always a joy to see our radiant queen....................

And the gang's ALL here...................

After a tasty buffet of New Mexican Fiesta favorites...............

This year's Don Diego DeVargas addressed the group with an inspirational speech about the historical meaning of Fiesta.......................

And La Reina, Danielle, gave a moving speech about her personal committment to the ideals of Fiesta............

And a good time was had by all!! Hey, I warned you that the skirt flouncing was just beginning........

LABOR DAY PRE-FIESTA

Come the Labor Day weekend, Fiesta has already begun for those Montoya girls............

The skirt flouncing starts early.............

And downtown at the Labor Day Arts and Crafts Market, we encounter a Royal procession to the bandstand. This lovely princessa is one of my loveable former students--Donna......

And this is her cousin Sarah. Also a favorite former student, Sarah is a very busy girl these days, she is just starting medical school and is getting married next month........

And this is the beautiful queen--a truly favorite student, Danielle..............

On the bandstand, this year's DeVargas (the son of one of my old schoolmates) gives a very inspiration welcome..............................

And introduces.................

Our lovely Reina!

The royal court then enjoys some dancing to old time Northern New Mexico music..............

Including the nimble Miss Donna........................

Under this year's rules for the Queen, she was allowed to choose her own court and Danielle chose the girls who also ran against her for the title, her sister and her cousin. These girls have another equally beautiful sister, Darlene. But, Darlene is a married woman and a new mama, so therefor not eligible. Donna, with the beaming smile, took time off from a very successful career in San Diego to spend the summer in her hometown and participate in the many, many Fiesta events..............

Including this late summer's afternoon cotillion.................

Yet another of my fine former students makes a very handsome soldado. Every once in a while, you can understand how the Indians thought the Conquistadors were gods...............

And on goes the Bandstand Baile................

Soldado poster boy............

Her mama is primping this little lady for her turn on the stage...................

The fierce look in this little guys eyes tells you that he has some pretty strong opinions about all this "fiesta stuff".......................

The Royal Court then promenaded about the plaza.......................

And even posed with some of the proletariat. Now, I know most of you who frequent this blog suppose that I pushed by way into the photo, but my lovely student, Danielle INVITED me to pose with her. (Sisi is my witness!!)

And with such a lovely Queen, this is going to be the BEST Fiesta ever!

That evening, we attended a fabulous party at Maureen and Elliott's and while I didn't bore the guests with my photo taking, I did take a shot of the magical party atmosphere. AND A GOOD TIME WA HAD BY ALL!