You no longer have to visit Mexico to enjoy an authentic Mexican fiesta.
The Dodge City Days Fiesta will present a traditional Mexican rodeo, known as "charreada," for the enjoyment of tourists and the general community.
This year's fiesta will run from 2 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday at Rancho el Palomino and will include a variety show, decked out as one of the most anticipated events in southwest Kansas.
As the star attraction, three charro teams will meet in a friendly competition to show off their skills in the charreada, the national sport of Mexico.
"We are excited to bring this event back to our city. Last year nearly 3,000 people attended, but this year we expect to exceed this figure due to the popularity of the charros events, as it is totally familiar," said Micaela Morales, membership director of the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce.
The entry fee is $10 with the official Dodge City Days lapel pin or $15 without the pin. Children under 12 years old get in free.
Pins are available in some local shops and at the Chamber office. You can also purchase the pin at the Rancho el Palomino box office the day of the event.
"The arena of the Rancho el Palomino is ready to celebrate an event that attracts large audiences all over Kansas and even followers of the charreadas from other states," said Omar Lopez, chairman of the Chamber's Multicultural Committee and owner of Rancho el Palomino.
Rancho el Palomino, located at 1900 Pheasant St. off South 14th Avenue, has been refurbished and prepared in the past few months in order to have it ready for the fiesta.
"Under new management, we have worked hard for the activity to be held at the higher levels that this sport and our community deserve," said Lopez.
Fierce competition
The competition will be fierce, with charro teams El Vergel from Wichita, Reyes Rivera of Wichita and Así es mi Tierra of Garden City. The teams are made up of squads of charreada experts and belong to the National Association of Charros.
Charreada, which stems from the Mexican Revolution, requires the charros to comply with regulations so they can practice the sport. The event also has a rigorous protocol for the celebrations and encounters between teams.
No less important are the vestments. Participants must wear traditional charro clothing, which will be considered by the judges. The judges will evaluate the charreada, which consist of a number of scoring events staged in a particular order.
But the fiesta offers much more.
"We will have a variety show for the enjoyment of the whole family," Morales said. "The event will begin with the presentation of the Ballet Folklorico of the Heritage Panel of DCHS and a display of self-defense from students of the martial arts school Martial Arts White Tiger (Michael Zuñiga)."
During the three intermediate charreada competitions, children can participate in two sheep-riding races, and a competition of trapped chickens and piglets. The top contestants will receive prizes.
Two major regional Mexican bands will perform during the event.
"The band Tamborracho from Wichita, Kansas, and originating from Durango, México, will play their best music during the competition of steer tailing, or 'coleadero' in Spanish, and will make another presentation later in the activity," said Lopez.
The famous musical group Banda La Única de Jerez comes from Chicago to offer a lively show, including the most successful songs of their career and music from their latest CD.
"This band has an impressive track record, and its music is heard on many radio stations in the United States and Mexico," Lopez said.
But there is no typical Mexican fiesta without Mexican food. The public can enjoy a selection of Mexican dishes and drinks at reasonable prices.
Later in the afternoon, the audience may dance during a "remote control" transmission from the radio station La Mexicana, alternating with live music by Banda La Unica de Jerez.
Morales and Lopez agreed that the purpose of the event is to unite the entire community.
"We want all ethnic groups and Anglos to share this fiesta," Lopez said. "Our goal is to show our Mexican tradition. But better yet to point out the importance of continuing to celebrate our traditions, no matter what country we are, even though we live far from our land.
"At the same time, we recognize that we need an integration of the minority groups and the Anglos living in Dodge City. This event gives us that opportunity."
Community support
The event requires the support of many people.
Morales said he wanted to thank all the sponsors who, in one way or another, made the event possible. This year's sponsors are the Multicultural Committee, Rancho El Palomino, Boot Hill Casino, National Beef, Western Beverage, UFCW District Union Local 2 and Sunflower Bank.
The queen of Cinco de Mayo 2010, Dulce Cerón, and her princesses will present distinctive badges to the charro teams and competition winners so they can keep a memory of the event — and of Dodge City.
For more information, call Morales at 227-3119 or Lopez at 408-8080.
