NMAA Co-Sponsors Festival de San Isidro in Albuquerque’s South Valley

Community invited to celebrate the Festival de San Isidro

Several of New Mexico’s water and land organizations have joined together to revive and preserve the traditional celebration of honoring San Isidro, the Patron Saint for those who work the land.  The entire community is invited to come together to bless the Acequia Waters, our lands and our seeds and join in this celebration of peace and of the many blessings of our culture and farming heritage.  The event will take place on Saturday, May 12^th from 10:00 AM –1:00 PM and will happen at St. Anne’s Parish located at 1400 Arenal SW in Albuquerque’s South Valley.

The celebration will begin with a Catholic Mass at St. Anne’s Pavilion behind the St. Anne’s church.  Immediately following the Mass there will be a procession from the Carrousel de San Isidro to Sanchez Farm where a blessing of the Armijo Acequia, seeds, gloves, tools & Sanchez Farm and a Ceremonial Danza by Circulo Solar Ollin Xochipilli will take place.  The festivities will continue back at the St. Anne’s Pavilion with a community meal provided free to the public sponsored by the New Mexico Acequia Association and Amigos Bravos and music by Los Jarraneros del Valle Norte.   There will also be a Seed Exchange and environmental and gardening information at the St. Anne’s Pavilion and a Tractor Show across the street at the Westside Community Center.  The community is invited to bring seeds for the Seed Exchange and gloves and farm tools which will be blessed.  All are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, protection against the sun and to bring their favorite lawn chairs. 

For More Information regarding the event, call Lucy Sanchez at 452-9387, Joan Brown, OSF at 266-6966 or Michael Jensen at 362-1063.  

The Festival of San Isidro is supported by Amigos Bravos, the New Mexico Acequia Association, South Valley Association of Acequias, St. Anne’s Catholic Community, Partnership for Earth Spirituality, Rio Grande Community Development Corporation, South Valley Partners for Environmental Justice, La Plazita Institute, American Friends Service Committee, South West Organizing Project, La Plazita, and Kalpulli Izkalli.