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Show COLORFUL FIESTA GARB . . . Descendants of Spanish Con-quistadores Con-quistadores and Pueblo Indians will stage a re-enactment of their final peace treaty as a highlight of the Santa Fe Fiesta. Colorful costumes, like those worn by the Pueblo Indians (above), will add a reminder of the past to fiesta time. IN THESE UNITED STATES Historic Fiesta Commemorates Reconquest of Old Santa Fe WNU Features. SANTA FE, N. M.-"Hasta la Fiesta!" That old Spanish greeting resounds through the streets of Old Santa Fe as preparations near completion for the 235th annual edition of the historic Santa Fe Fiesta. Descendants of Spanish Con. quistadores and Pueblo Indians once again will join together at the four-day Labor Day fiesta, opening August 29 and continuing con-tinuing through September 1. by staging a reenactment of their final peace treaty drawn up in 1692. America's oldest community festival, festi-val, the Santa Fe Fiesta, commemorates commemo-rates the reconquest of the southwest south-west territory and especially of Santa San-ta Fe, the former Spanish capital, by Gen. Don Diego de Vargas in the year 1692. The reconquest came 12 years after the Indian uprising in which all Spanish persons north of the border fled back into Mexico or were killed. Twenty years later, In 1712, Marquis de la Penuela, governor gover-nor and captain general of the New Mexico territory, decreed that a fiesta should be held annually an-nually "for all time to come" In honor of the retaking of the City of Santa Fe. This was in keeping keep-ing with a vow, made prior to the reconquest by General De Vargas, to hold a fiesta in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This annual celebration, prior to World War II, was one of the outstanding out-standing festivals In the country, with thousands of tourists coming to join with local Spanish-Americans, Mexicans, Indians and Anglos (Caucasians who have settled here from other states). The colorful pageantry of the reconquest re-conquest of the city, the covered wagon days parades, Indian markets mar-kets and dances, native musicians with their folk music and dancing, often Including, as it will this year, the importation of a Mariachi band or orchestra from Old Mexico, Con-quistadores Con-quistadores Baile or Ball, always have intrigued fiesta visitors. This year for the first time since 1941, all major features have been included In the program and from the burning of Zozobra (a giant 100-foot 100-foot figure of the god of gloom) on Friday evening, until the last musical mu-sical concert on Monday evening, hilarity and the spirit of fiesta will reign supreme. Sunday is given over largely to appropriate religious activities. Highlights include a procession to the church of high Catholic dignitaries, digni-taries, a high pontifical mass and an evening candlelight procession In which thousands of pilgrims bearing lighted candles wend their way through the streets, with luminarios and pinon fires helping to light their way. Santa Fe, oldest capital city In the nation, will be decked out In gala holiday attire for fiesta time. Gay bunting and colorful banners will adorn city streets, and many residents will be bedecked be-decked in colorful old costumes reminiscent of early Spanish and Indian days. Perched in mountainous country at an elevation of 7,000 feet, Santa Fe holds forth its cool, invigorating climate as an added lure for fiesta visitors. The city and the nearby area are replete with authentic historic his-toric sights which beckon to many tourists who, like the freighters of old, make their last stop at the terminus ter-minus of the Santa Fe Trail. |