Maria Fischette
Everyone is invited to the St. Helen’s Fall Fiesta on Saturday, Oct. 5. The church opens at noon, with live music provided by the San Pedro River Band. Mass, officiated by Rev. Msgr. Ambrose Nwohu, begins at 1 p.m., followed by the blessing of the grounds. The kitchen, food, and game booths open at 2:30 p.m., and the celebration continues until 11 p.m. All are welcome!
The menu will consist of BBQ meat, rice, beans, salsa, tortillas, and a non-alcoholic drink for $8. Other delectable treats, including cotton candy, snow cones, nachos, beer, and margaritas will be served at food booths. There will be a variety of game booths, a bake sale, piñata, cake walk, silent auction, prize raffles, and face painting. A cash raffle for $300, $150, and $50 prizes will take place at the closing of the fiesta. The silent auction includes many interesting goodies, including original artwork, jewelry, Coach purses (brand new, of course), and several surprises (think “electronics!”). This auction will jump-start your holiday shopping.
The scheduled entertainment will bring back favorite performers as well as new entertainers, many from the nearby Copper Corridor towns and from as far as Superior, Tucson, and Douglas.
San Pedro River Band will provide music from noon to 2:30 p.m. Their music covers norteño, country, corrido, and bolero, including offering music for the mass within liturgical guidelines. The harmony of voice and various musical instruments is sure to bring you to your feet in dance.
Professional musician and sound specialist, Jim Ham, will provide sound and DJ music throughout the event. Jim is an accomplished guitarist and bass player, as well as a San Manuel native who joins us for the 11th year.
Mr. Ham will be assisted by Tucson’s emcee, Elisa Jaimez. Elisa, the 2019 Allstar Award Winner and Best Internet Radio Personality of the Year, has pioneered the way for female Internet radio personalities. Elisa is well known in the Tejano music space—a folk music with elements from Mexican-Spanish vocal traditions and Czech and German dance tunes and rhythms.
Mariachi Alma Mexicana from Tucson will be performing from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This band arrives decked out in the traditional mariachi flair and performs music ranging from traditional to Patsy Cline.
Dancing their way into our hearts from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. is the Superior Baile Folklorico Company under Superior Dance Company’s instructor, Billie Jo Villaverde. The group has danced for the Arizona State Fair and even as half-time entertainers for the Phoenix Suns; they also have been invited to perform at the Fiesta Bowl Parade. Come and enjoy these talented performers who are as young as three years old!
The Gemini band from Douglas will perform from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. For nine consecutive years, Gemini has performed at the fiesta and has had the crowd dancing, having a good time well into the night!
Please join us for this free event to dance, eat, laugh, shop, and meet and socialize with your Oracle neighbors.