The local non-profit organization, Cancer Aid Resource & Education, Inc. (CARE) is planning to hold a large-scale event honoring the former whole enchilada fiesta. The event is being planned for the last weekend of September in 2016 in the Las Cruces downtown mall.
CARE President/Executive Director, Yoli Diaz, says the idea is to honor the life-long commitment of the whole enchilada creator Roberto Estrada, while carrying out the mission of the Whole Enchilada Fiesta. The mission stated that the event be a celebration of southern New Mexico's traditions, people and great food.
The idea is to have local vendors, local music including mariachis and entertainment with folklorico dancers, an enchilada cooking contest, quilt making contest, a tractor show, games, carnival, possibly a parade and other ideas the committee plans. “We want to include everything our region has to offer, from the New Mexican food, to our cotton industry, farming industry of chile and pecans and especially our culture,” says Diaz. The event will also be free to enter.
The local community will also be responsible for naming this new event. “We know we want “CARE” in the name of this new event. We will open it up to Las Cruces and Dona Ana County residents and get their ideas on what to name it. We will have a committee narrow down the names and then vote on which one to go with,” says Diaz. “The idea of this event is two-fold. One is to raise money to help with cancer services in the local community, which includes financial assistance for non-medical needs for cancer patients residing in Doña Ana County who are in active treatment for any type of cancer. Two, is to create this community-wide event that everyone can be a part of, whether you just attend, or are instrumental in helping plan and get it going.”
For more information contact Yoli Diaz, CARE President/Executive Director at (575) 649-0598.