96th Annual Garden City

     Garden City’s Community Mexican Fiesta will mark 96 years this fall, after taking place annually since
1926, and people throughout Southwest Kansas are invited to celebrate Sept. 9-10 with the theme of “Una
Comunidad Una Cultura,” which means “One Community One Culture.”
     “People began emigrating to Garden City from Mexico at the dawn of the 20th Century,” said Angelica
Castillo Chappel, Fiesta president.
     “The ethic of hard work, strong faith and devotion to family and community that these immigrants
brought is something to be truly proud of,” Castillo Chappel said. “This ethic has been passed down from
generation to generation, just like the tradition of our community-wide fiesta.”
   “We welcome everyone to join in the celebration,’ she said, “as we all embrace our shared cultures.”
     The Mexican Independence Day observance, also celebrated in locations across the U.S., has included a
parade each year in Garden City since 1928, a fiesta queen crowning that has been staged annually since 1929
and a scholarship pageant connected to the crowning that is marking its 18th anniversary.
     Castillo Chappel said the fiesta is based on a cry for freedom on Sept. 16, 1810, known as “el grito,”
attributed to Father Miguel Hidalgo in the village of Dolores, near Guanajuato. Hidalgo called for equal rights,
land redistribution, abolition of slavery and Mexican independence from Spain. Today that cry is celebrated
on or near the date of Sept. 16 by millions of people in Mexico as well as the U.S.
     The celebration is important to Garden City because it is linked to the Mexican heritage that helps
shape the community’s unique culture. Key events include:
   • The Fiesta Scholarship Pageant, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 in the auditorium of the Pauline Joyce Arts at Garden
      City Community College.
   • The Fiesta Parade, heading south at 10 a.m. Sept. 10 on Garden City’s Main Street.
   • A Fiesta celebration at 11 a.m. Sept. 10 in Stevens Park, featuring a series of family-friendly
     activities, food and live music by main entertainment Diamante Perez of Ulysses; Benito Domingue
     and his Teclados, also serving as master of ceremonies; along with Compañeros Mix DJ Services,
     Garden City. In addition, there will be a local Folkloric dance group, “Sol De Mexico,” and
     entertainment throughout the afternoon by local performers.
     The celebration in the park will begin with an invocation by Father Jacob Schneider of St. Mary’s
Catholic Church, singing of the American and Mexican National Anthems and the traditional “el grito,” by
Representative Deputy Consul Oscar Soberanes of the Mexican Consulate of Kansas City.
   The fiesta is being made possible by a combination of sponsors. Presenting, platinum and gold-level
sponsors include Baron’s Steakhouse and Bar, Gravity Wellness Spa, Garden City Community College,
Guaranteed Rate, Farmers Insurance Agent Rodrigo Ruvalcaba, Dairy Farmer’s of America, La Ke Buena
105.9 FM Radio, MBA Real Estate, United Wireless, Parrot Cove Water Park, Valley State Bank, Abogado
Los Toros, Golden Plains Credit Union, American Warrior Construction and Old Chicago.
       Information about the parade and other Fiesta programs is available from the organization president at
620-290-6264 or by visiting www.gcfiesta.org.

FIESTA PAGEANT

     The fiesta pageant winner will automatically qualify for an opportunity to participate in the Miss
Kansas Pageant and also receive a $1,000 scholarship provided by Baron’s Steakhouse and Bar. Runners-up

will be awarded scholarships of $500 provided by Valley State Bank and $250 provided by the Fiesta
Association; respectively, with scholarships applicable at any accredited college of the recipient’s choice.
     The competition is open to single women between the ages of 16 and 21 who have been Kansas
residents at least six months prior to the application deadline.
     Other requirements also apply and potential entrants should contact Castillo Chappel at 620-290-6264.

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Sincerely,
Angelica Castillo Chappel
2021 Fiesta President

Jesse Nuñez ,Vice President
Jeremy Haden, Secretary
Kristi Kells, Treausurer
Monica Aguilar - 2020 Miss GC Fiesta 
Committe Members at large:
Allie Medina
Benito Dominguez
Salvador Castillo Jr.
Maria Castillo
Sophie Hernandez
Barb Robertson