Las Cruces, NM – On this edition of PUENTES, bridges to the community, host Emily Guerra met with Western New Mexico University Special Assistant to the President for Cultural Affairs, Faye McCalmont to talk about the three-day 2nd Annual Fiesta Latina cultural event June 22nd – 24th, in celebration of Mexico’s heritage, customs and traditions in New Mexico.
McCalmont says several new components have been added this year. The expanded festival is now at a new location, at the Old James Stadium on the WNMU Campus. Last year they had 28 artisans, and this year there will be 40 booths representing 70 artists. The Artisan Mercado will be open each day. A new event is the free Transcending Borders Film/Lecture Series documenting five of the attending artisans. A community-building workshop with Patricia Castillo and Paul Jolet will be creating a clay Árbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) on Saturday morning; and in the afternoon is the Tequila Tasting (10 tastes for $20). There will also be plenty of music, food, children’s activities and more. A detailed schedule is available at www.fiestalatina.org and on Facebook.