Overview:
The 15th annual "Fiesta of Cultures" returns on October 21 at Bernalillo's Coronado Historic Site, offering activities like baking, kachina carving, live music, and an art raffle to support the historic sites group.
After a four-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and significant renovations, the Friends of the Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites are bringing back their 15th annual “Fiesta of Cultures” October 21 at the Coronado Historic Site in Bernalillo.
The event will have baking and kachina carving. The historic site’s new horno (a traditional Indigenous oven) will offer free samples of fresh, warm bread. Food trucks will be on site as well.
Live music from the cover band “Bad Habit and the Enablers” starts at 10:30am and performances by the Spanish Broom Flamenco Dance Troop start at 2pm.
A raffle to win works of art donated by fiesta artists benefit the Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites Group. Raffle tickets are $2 each or three for $5.
Several children’s activities scheduled throughout the day include arts and crafts workshops and a chance to see wild birds up close through a bird rescue organization.
The Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites originally started the Fiesta 15 years ago in an effort to support Coronado Historic Site’s educational efforts. Coronado Historic Site was established in 1940 and houses the remnants of a Tiwa village and is an active archaeological site. The site was named for the Spanish explorer, Coronado, whose expedition came to the area around 1540 AD. The site’s visitor center exhibits artifacts from the Kuaua settlement, the original kiva murals and features a reconstructed painted kiva depicting those murals, a gift shop, and interpretive trails offering spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains and Rio Grande.
The site has undergone significant renovations including more handicapped-accessible walkways, renovated restrooms, new museum exhibits, new interpretive signage and artwork in the video room. This is event is free to the public.
The Coronado Historic site is located at and the ruins of the Kuaua Pueblo are located at 485 Kuaua Rd. in Bernalillo.