Renamed Fiesta Topeka will celebrate 90th with such new events as pickleball and cornhole

A beloved community event will take place this summer in Topeka but with a new name.

Organizers of Fiesta Mexicana announced the rebranding of the annual festival as Fiesta Topeka, which will celebrate 90 years in July with a month of new and annual events.

This year's theme is A Legacy of Pride, Passion and Culture." Bringing back those qualities is something Fiesta Committee chair Deborah Ortega is eager to share.

"We wanted to do something different that represented who we are and who our volunteers are. While we all have roots here in this community, we've also grown outside of the community," Ortega told The Capital-Journal. "We have families and friends all over the United States.

"Topeka though, it's not just Oakland anymore. It is Topekans who've all moved out of neighborhoods and are all around Topeka, we come back and volunteer and work. So, it really is a Topeka-wide event."

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The first Fiesta was held almost 90 years ago

The first fiesta was a one-day event held on Aug. 17, 1933, and was organized by Father Augustine Cuartero and parishioners, with special assistance of Genevieve McDade.

"The initial vision of Father Cuartero, encompassed not only the sharing of our Mexican culture, but its primary purpose, which remains unchanged, is to support the parish's school and education of the children," Fiesta leaders said in a news release Wednesday.

In 1921, a modest school was built. By 1953, funds from the Fiesta were used to build a bigger school to accommodate the rising student enrollment. In 2006, Our Lady of Guadalupe School merged with Sacred Heart School to form Holy Family Catholic School, 1725 N.E. Seward Ave.

Travis Lamb, principal of Holy Family Catholic School, said the impact that Fiesta Topeka has on the Catholic schools couldn't be overstated.

"The financial support the school receives directly through these events, through our parishes, enables us to provide quality faith formation, education, and enrichment opportunities for our students and their families," Lamb said.

Mayor Mike Padilla, said he grew up in Oakland and the community has helped his success.

"Our Lady of Guadalupe School and this parish and this community has been so supportive of everything I've tried to do in my life," Padilla said. "We lived in the fiesta."

Padilla said his mother's home still stands. He said he always experienced the celebration nightly from her front yard.

"It was just something we looked forward to. That was the highlight of the year, but now we see it evolved into what it is now, into an even larger event to Fiesta Topeka," he said. "I think that speaks volumes of what this community has done and brought to the overall community and city of Topeka."

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What's the schedule for Fiesta Topeka this year?

"We have been on a hiatus because of the pandemic," Ortega told The Capital-Journal. "We tried to roll out last year and abbreviated to three days and didn't have all of our events. So, this year we're back in full force. We've actually created a fiesta month."

Mini Jamaica (Mini Fiesta): On July 8, the official Fiesta Topeka kickoff event will be at Evergy Plaza. It will feature live musical performances, traditional Mexican food and a variety of food trucks. At 8 a.m., the annual 5K run and walk will occur with all ages are encouraged to participate.

Parade Celebration: At 10:30 a.m. July 15, celebration of the fiesta will continue with a parade in downtown Topeka. It will begin at S. Kansas Avenue and 4th Street go south to 8th Street, west on 8th Street to S.W. Jackson Avenue, then north on Jackson to 4th Street. The parade will end at S.W. Jackson and 4th Street. The Coronation Ball will follow with fundraising performances determining who will be crowned Fiesta king and queen.

Fiesta Topeka Festival: From July 18-22, there will be a five-day celebration of Mexican culture, cuisine, music and a full carnival experience with attractions. An art show will allow for regional and local artists to showcase their work.

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Golf Tournament: On July 21, the annual golf tournament will be at Cypress Ridge Golf Course, 2533 S.W. Urish Road. Prizes and awards will be given to participants.

Cornhole Tournament: On July 22, a new fiesta tradition of cornhole competitions will begin.

Pickleball Tournament: On July 29 and 30, pickleball competitions — another new event — will begin.

For more information about Fiesta Topeka, visit FiestaTopeka.com or call 785-232-5088.

Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Fiesta Mexicana is now Fiesta Topeka with activities throughout July