Una fiesta de los niños: El Rancho de Las Golondrinas brings the community together for fun, education
Aug. 31—For 20 years, El Rancho de Las Golondrinas has brought the community together through its annual event Santa Fe Fiesta de Los Niños.
This year's event takes place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Sept. 3.
"We will have our classic cultural crafts and historic demonstrations," says Laura Griego, director of education and volunteer services. "Visitors will be able to see all types of educational demonstrations throughout the property."
El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is located on 200 acres in a rural farming valley just south of Santa Fe.
The museum opened in 1972 and is dedicated to the history, heritage and culture of 18th and 19th century New Mexico.
Original buildings on the site date from the early 1700s.
Griego says over the years, Las Golondrinas has been able to build community partnerships, and it shows during events such as the fiesta.
She says Dusty Roadrunner, the state clean-up mascot, will roam around the property from 10 a.m. to noon.
The New Mexico Wildlife Center will also have demonstrations about what they do.
"We've also teamed up with the Santa Fe Symphony who will be doing an instrument petting zoo," Griego says. "Visitors will be able to get up close with some instruments and learn all about each one."
Other events include mask making, balloon twisting, tin stamping and a climbing wall which the city of Albuquerque is bringing in for the event.
"This will be the first time we've had the climbing wall," Griego says.
In addition to all the fun, Griego says there will be storytelling by Indiana Bones and the legendary Joe Hayes.
"We'll have Indiana Bones on Saturday," she says. "Joe Hayes gave us one day, which we appreciate so much because he is so well-known."
Griego says there will also be face painting, as well as the Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails will be making ramillettes.
"There are opportunities to make a mini adobe casita," she says. "We have dancing from Entreflamenco and Lightning Boy Hoop Dancers."
Griego says the two-day event is fun for the whole family.
"We had about 2,400 people last year," she says. "The event continues to grow each year, and it's the community that comes together to make it all happen."
Griego also advises guests to purchase their tickets in advance at golondrinas.org for easier access to the event, as well as not paying as much the day of the event.
