Heart of the community: Corrales Historical Society puts spotlight on village during annual fiesta

Adrian Gomez, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·2 min read

Sep. 27—The Corrales Historical Society works diligently all year to create family friendly events in the village.

This year is no different.

The members have been hard at work organizing the Heart of Corrales Fiesta, which takes place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1, at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church. The fiesta is part of the Corrales Harvest Festival, which has event locations around the village. The Heart of Corrales Fiesta is free, while tickets to the Harvest Festival are $15, with children 12 and under free.

"We're constantly finding new acts to participate," says Debbie Clemente, CHS publicity chair. "It's about showcasing the history of Corrales to the greater community."

Clemente says inside the church, there will be performers of traditional New Mexican, Latin and folk music such as Eli del Puerto Duo, Grupo Fiesta Trio, Mezcla Latina Quartet and Bayou Seco Duo.

Clemente says there will be an area called the "Children's Table," where guests can try their hand at modeling clay and coloring.

"Guests can snap a selfie with the life-size horse model, 'Amigo,' " she says. "On the next table we will have a lot of bounty on the Fruits of the Harvest Table, which is donated by Corrales farmers."

Clemente says the historical society will have antiques for viewing such as cauldrons, a wine press and a cider press.

"Guests can try their hand at corn grinding and butter churning, just like they did back in the day," she says. "And watch the fast and furious fingers of Margarita Garcia-Sexson as she demonstrates ristra-making right before your eyes on both days. Bonnie Gonzales will create colorful marigold ristra-making demos as well."

Clemente says one of the festival's favorite events is back for the sixth year — the pie walk.

"Guests can win homemade pies made from harvest favorites — apple, blueberry, peach, pumpkin, rhubarb, apricot and more," Clemente says. "It's just $1 to walk, or dance around the pie walk squares. When the music stops, a number gets called — if you're standing on that number, you win the pie of your choice."

All proceeds go to the preservation of the Old Church.

CHS docents will be selling gifts and souvenirs at Shop in a Basket, including notecards, books, tin ornaments and more.

2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of Corrales Historical Society.

Clemente says to cross the street to find New Mexican artisans and vendors, music and dancers, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, kids' activities, horno bread baking (bring a loaf over to the Old Church for some fresh churned butter), and more.

The full schedule can be found at corraleshistory.org.