CENTER - It was a sunny morning, with plenty of breeze to make the trees move in the afternoon on June 22, as the San Juan Fiesta brought in a fantastic, spirited celebration to Center. 

The fiesta brought in more than 1,000 people, according to Center Town Manager Cole Webb. He felt the fiesta went well and he was happy to see many people from the community in attendance. He hoped with so many people attending the celebration that the church would receive a lot of donations. The celebration was in the middle of town at Casa Blanca Park.   

Deacon Jerry LeBlanc spoke about the fiesta, “On Sunday, June 22, St. Francis Jerome Catholic Church celebrated its annual San Juan Fiesta.  The actual feast day of Saint John the Baptist is on June 24. We had a great celebration at the Casa Blanca Park in Center. There were vendors from across the Valley. The parishioners of St. Francis Jerome had a variety of food booths. There were ‘chilindrinas’, tacos, tamales, hamburgers, fruit cups, and a variety of baked goods.”  

All over Casa Blanca Park children could be seen laughing and playing at the fiesta. There were vendors of all types selling their wares, including clothing, freeze dried candies, purses, wood crafts, cups, mugs, tumblers, homemade crafts, garden items, and jewelry to name a few. 

There was a food truck in the middle of it all. There was a booth set up for face-painting for both adults and children, along with a couple of resource booths including the Colorado Energy Office. The booth was giving out information about saving energy and cost effectiveness in energy efficiency.   

Deacon LeBlanc stated there were drawings for prizes, and a silent auction. Monica “DJ Loca” entertained everyone with a variety of music, and there was dancing and a joyful spirit. “Several lucky people also won prizes from the drawings. Some people got good deals at the silent auctions,” he said.  

According to LeBlanc last year was the first year that the San Juan Fiesta had been celebrated in 5 years by the church. 

“The parish community is grateful to K&J market, Tortillería la Unica, La Pache Pache, La Guayabita, Sand Dunes Recreation, Walmart, and M & M Liquor. Several individual families also made monetary donations,” he said. 

Deacon LeBlanc added, “The faithful of St. Francis Jerome worked well to build community and support the local Catholic Church with the fiesta.”