It's early morning--the last day of Fiesta

 Since we have been "in" the Sunday afternoon Fiesta Parade the past couple of years, we have adopted a new tradition of getting up early and going down to the plaza for our last Fiesta visit of the year.....

 It's interesting to find the streets empty....

 And the curbs totally clear of "curb sitters"..........

 We're in time for the Fiesta Procession to the Cathedral for the Fiesta Thanksgiving Mass.....

 This is a special procession because it has mariachi music....

 Knights of Columbus and DeVargas and his men............

 My former student has done a very fine job of representing Don Diego DeVargas this year....

 There are Indian Corn Dancers.....

 Of all ages and sizes.....

 And visiting Fiesta royalty from Las Vegas.....

 And the Espanola Fiesta Queen....

 And her princesses....

But nothing gets the heart pumping like our own Santa Fe Fiesta Royalty......

 With our lovely Princessas....

 And our fantastic Queen!  Since meeting her at the Bienvenidos Luncheon, she has graciously stopped and posed for my camera every time I have seen her.....

 I took this photo to show how much fun those two little girls who are the "train bearers" are having, because once upon a time......

 I got to be the train bearer--along with my cousin Judy--when our beautiful cousin Angie was Fiesta Queen in 1956.  Jojo, in the middle got to carry the Queen's crown............

 And, of course, Angie is still just as beautiful and still enjoying Fiesta!  (And still on the arm of her same beau--husband, Larry).................

 The Caballeros DeVargas carry La Conquistadora in all her finery....

 Because, after all, the only reason we have a fiesta at all is because of a promise made to her by Don Diego DeVargas centuries ago.....

 After the procession, it's time for a tamale pie.  Since Posas does not have a booth, I have found that on these quiet mornings you can convince folks who have Frito pies in their booth to substitute a couple of tamales for the chips--much harder to get accomplished when they are busy with a line waiting for food.........

 Instead of going elsewhere for breakfast after Mass, the Montoyas decide to have a nice sit-down meal at the Plaza Café..............

 The Chavezes are ready for their breakfast favorites............

 Speaking of Fiesta Royalty, former Princessa, Nicole, was out and about with her lovely family.  Sophia entertained us with her ballet moves and India with her zany antics--Reyes is still a bit shy and just watched.....

 Undoubtedly, these two beauties will be the royalty of the future..........

So, if you don't want to fight the crowds or the heat of the day, you might want to try an early morning visit to Fiesta--AND A GOOD TIME WILL BE HAD BY ALL!