Nearly 50 people marched through the New Mexico State Capitol building March 8 to celebrate Española Day at the Legislature. Festival royalty, the high school choir and city officials were all on hand.
Española Day is one of the main events the Chamber anticipates each year, said President Jeff Atencio.
“It’s a way to network and touch base with our community leaders and Senators,” Atencio said. “We follow up on legislative issues that are important to our members throughout the year, but Española Day is an especially good opportunity to get face time with some of our leaders.”
Being at Española day also is a good way for Chamber members to advertise their businesses to a new market, Atencio said.
Adding to the spectacle was a 19-year-old turkey vulture named Sol. The big bird is a resident of The Wildlife Center, which supports Española day every year.
“We’re kind of a hidden gem in the community,” said Development Director Cheryl Bell. “This is a great opportunity to show our support for Española and give people an up-close and personal link to wildlife that they might not otherwise have.”
The day started with Juan de Oñate (Jerry Abeyta) and his court gathered on the Roundhouse main floor. A dozen or so booths with representatives from organizations such as Northern New Mexico College, The Wildlife Center and the Chamber lined the foyer. La Reina (Candace Vargas) chatted with people crowded near the booths.
The court gathered for pictures and then paraded through the capitol. Oñate, La Reina and Mayor Alice Lucero led mariachis, three princesas (Vanessa Gonzales, Camella Maestas and Chassity Pacheco), two caballeros (Elmer Lucero and Tito Terrazas, Jr.), the padre (Daniel Espinoza), the Native scout (Austin Martinez) and more Española residents and officials.
Someone yelled “Que viva La Reina!” and the crowd replied, “Que viva!”
The mariachis didn’t miss a beat as the crowd continued up a flight of stairs and down the wide marble hallway, filling it.
Said one onlooker, “I don’t know Spanish but I understand the spirit.”
“Que viva the white people!” a member of the Española delegation said in response.
The parade continued to Governor Susanna Martinez’s office, where the mariachis played. When the governor arrived, La Reina serenaded the crowd with “Amor Eterno.”
“Thank you,” Martinez said, hand over her chest. “That’s one of my favorite songs.”
Oñate danced with the governor, La Reina danced with the Native scout and Cristobal (Adam Encinias) seemed exhausted.
The procession later wended its way to the office of Senator Richard Martinez (D-Española), where it wished him a happy birthday before noisily heading downstairs again to perform for the House of Representatives and then the Senate, likely leaving no one in the capitol unaware that it was Española Day.
Asked if delegations from other cities celebrate as loudly when they visit the Capitol, Española City Clerk Tessa Mascarenas said, “They could, but we do it the best. We’re kind of known for this.”