The first Fiesta was a one-day event held on August 17, 1933, on the grounds of our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

It was organized by Father Augustine Cuartero and the parishioners, with the special assistance of Mrs. Genevieve McDade, a local philanthropist from Assumption Parish who was very active in helping the Mexican community, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church during the depression years.

Initial fiesta were small events held tightly within Topeka’s Mexican barrio. Parishioners and extended family were the only attendees, and food items were cooked from home and brought to the church grounds to sell. Entertainment was local, with an emphasis on music and dances from the homeland of Mexico.

Ask a longtime parishioner what “memorias” come to mind from past fiestas, and the answers would be as colorful as the event itself. Children relish the many flavors of raspas (snow cones). Youth mischievously cracking cascarones (confetti eggs) over a friend’s head.

The sound of gritos (Spanish for a long shout of happiness) to ranchero or corrido music played. All the sights and sounds recalled on those warm summer nights. 

As part of that first fiesta, traditional Mexican dances and songs were performed by a group of about twenty-eight dancers, singers, and musicians. Mrs. H.T. Legerwood assisted Mrs. McDade by coordinating the dances for the Fiesta.

It wasn't long before the fiesta programs, under the management of Mrs. McDade, reported attendance by the thousands. From the 1930s to now, we maintain this valuable cultural tradition.

Many parishioners such as Lupe Perez, Victoria Morales, Marti Martinez, Delia Ramirez, Margaret Villegas, Ediberto Gonzales, Arnold and Sandra Villegas, and more have volunteered and developed the dance troupes such as the Aguilas Aztecas, Bailes Mestizos and Ballet Folklorico De Topeka and Our Lady of Guadalupe Dancers.

The fiesta also incorporates dancers from outside of our community, such as Lawrence and Kansas City.

Then, as of now, all of the food for the fiesta was prepared by the parishioners. The first Fiesta lasted for only one day, but it was so financially successful that people requested that it be held the next year again.

A second successful fiesta was held in 1934, and that led to a decision to make the fiesta an annual event. Over the years, the fiesta has been extended so that it now lasts for five days, has gone from a quarter of a block to several blocks surrounding the parish neighborhood, and includes a Queen and King contest, a coronation dance, an annual parade down Kansas Avenue, a golf tournament, and a 5K run/walk in the Oakland area.