D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
July
2008
Holy Rollers
San Vicente Fiesta, July 26-27, revs up with the addition of a motorcycle run.
Story and photos by Donna Clayton Lawder
The 15th Annual San Vicente Fiesta in Silver City gets turbo-charged this year with the addition of its 1st Annual Bike Run, hoping to draw up to 200 motorcyclists and adding to the already successful event's efforts to fill the coffers of the St. Vincent de Paul Church's building fund. The fiesta runs July 26-27, featuring arts and crafts booths, DJs and live music, food vendors, numerous raffle prize drawings, games and family outdoor fun both days.
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The motorcycle run takes place on Saturday, starting with a free breakfast for all registered bikers.
"We're very excited about the addition of the bike run," says Cosette Laperruque, an organizer for the event. She adds that Bike Run organizer Joe Ray is a Vietnam veteran, and that a number of local vets are keen to compete in the run, up the popular, scenic Inner Loop run to Lake Roberts and back.
Winners will be announced at the fiesta in Gough Park Saturday afternoon, followed by a Battle of the Bands, with a number of local music groups going head-to-head, entertaining the crowd well into the evening.
"It is a competition between various bands, and we do not have a total on those participating at this time," Laperruque says. "The audience will vote on which they like best. It will be a blast!"
Other entertainment throughout the weekend will include various DJs, belly dancing, performances by recording artists Oscar Pea and Flora Young, and Dansantes Azteca, performing a special dance at the Mass on Sunday.
Some significant raffle prizes are slated to be given away. A $2 ticket gives purchasers a chance at an Arctic Cat ATV, a 42-inch Vizio flat-screen TV, a Wii sports game system, a $300 cash prize, an original painting, certificates for auto services, a sizeable Mary Kay gift basket and a four-person dome tent.
Games and tests of strength and skill will abound, including bingo, huachas and horseshoes, balloon darts, a Coke toss, dime toss and more. There will be face painting for the kiddies — or the young at heart.
15th Annual San Vicente Fiesta and
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Laperruque notes that though 2008 is the 18th year since St. Vincent de Paul Church originated its Fiesta, this is only the 15th event, skipping the past three years due to focused efforts on the church's restoration. In 2005, a repair effort to the floors in the original building, built circa 1874, revealed extensive damage from beetles. "The floor was actually in danger of falling through," she says. The planned normal maintenance and repair turned into an extensive job, but today the church boasts not only a new — and structurally sound — floor, but also new pews and elegant chandeliers hanging from the completely reconstructed arched ceiling.
"There's always maintenance to be done, but this turned out to be a very big job," Laperruque says. "This is why we have an ongoing building fund, to take care of the church and all its buildings."