FLAGSTAFF — To celebrate and recognize Flagstaff’s Hispanic roots, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invites the public to attend its fourth annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklorico Festival” from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff. The event is free and has drawn upwards of 400 visitors in past years.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church is a significant historic site because it was the pride and centerpiece of the Hispanic community when it was built in the late 1920s by Flagstaff Hispanic pioneer families, who had strong bonds to the church.

What is a Tardeada? It’s a vibrant afternoon festival and social dance celebrating Flagstaff’s Hispanic culture and community history. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors is the premier sponsor.

The festival’s goal is to celebrate the legacy of Flagstaff’s Hispanic culture through entertainment, music, dance, art, food and exhibits. The entertainment stage will feature Ballet Folklorico de Colores – Flagstaff; Desierto de Colores Ballet Folklorico — Holbrook; Mariachi Herencia Musical and Mariachi Inspiración from Tucson, and Northern Latin Express.

The event will also include a tribute to Hispanic pioneers and Hispanic veterans in the region, a recognition of the 90^th anniversary of the church, an “Oldies” car show (from the early ’60s back to the 1940s) and a raffle. Mexican and regular barbeque food will be sold as a fundraiser for the Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces’ Cultural Heritage Fund. A recuerdos lecture focusing on the history of the Hispanic community in the region will also be held at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Cultural Center “The Basement.”

So escape the triple-digit temperature in most of Arizona, bring your chairs and canopies and enjoy the cooler mountain breezes of Northern Arizona.

A Mariachi Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 25 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

The public is invited to both events. Visit www.flagstaffnuestrasraices.org or send an email to help@flagstaffnuestrasraices.org or info@flagstaffnuestrasraices.org for more information.

Click here to see photos from 2016 Summertime Tardeada

Click here to see photos from 2016 Mariachi Mass

Please click on photos or headlines below for slideshows of photos from the 13th annual Celebraciones de la Gente

The lighting of the ofrendas greet museum members during 2016 Celebraciones de la Gente reception

Cultural performances, lectures and activities greet visitors on first day of 2016 Celebraciones de la Gente

Region celebrates second day of 2016 Celebraciones de la Gente

Northern Arizona community honors memories of families with closing ceremony at 2016 Celebraciones de la Gente

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will join with other groups in the annual “Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe,” with activities scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12. The event traditionally includes a procession starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff.

The procession will then proceed to San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church, 1600 E, Route 66, where participants and the public will be greeted by more than 400 luminarias placed up the hill to the church by members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces. Upon arriving at the church, entertainment will include music by Mariachi Mexico Antiguo of Las Vegas, a performance by the Matachines Dancers an a play on “The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe.”

A Novena and Rosary will then be held at 7 a.m., followed by an Mass with Father Patrick Mowrer and and Mananitas by Mariachi Mexico Antiguo at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Once again, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church will be lit by more than 250 luminaries placed by members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.

Members of Sociedades Guadalupanas will then present breakfast downstairs at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Cultural Center as a fundraiser for maintenance of the church.

All the events are open to the public.

Send an email to contact@flagstaffnuestrasraices.org for more information.

FLAGSTAFF — The 12th annual Celebraciones de la Gente came to a festive and fitting conclusion on Sunday Oct. 25 with the traditional blessing of the ofrendas / altars by In Tlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers, music by Mariachi Mexico Antiguo and the group photo in front of the Museum of Northern Arizona.

The event was presented by the museum in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces

A full day of activities preceded the closing ceremony, which included workshops on sugar skull decorating, creating an ofrenda, the history behind “La Llorona (The Weeping Woman)” with Stella Pope Duarte, and performances by Ballet Folklorico de Colores de Flagstaff along with Mariachi Mexico Antiguo and In Tlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers.

A variety of vendors selling traditional arts, crafts and jewelry could be found throughout the museum, along with nearly two dozen ofrendas in the museum’s historic Jaime Major Golightly Historic Courtyard.

Click here to see a slideshow of the closing day of the 12th annual Celebraciones de la Gente.

Commemorative photo booklets are still available for sale online — click here — as a benefit to Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces to help the organization bring more cultural programs to the region.