KANOPOLIS — Tradition, good food and good times with family and friends are what the annual fiesta celebrated by St. Ignatius Catholic Church is all about.

The fiesta will be Saturday, Aug. 30, at the church in Kanopolis.

Two of the fiesta’s organizers, Rita Whitmer and Bonnie Orozco, shared their thoughts in preparation for the event. Both are excited and looking forward to the annual tradition.

“Fiesta is always filled with excitement for our parish,” Whitmer said.

“Enthusiasm fills the atmosphere as we come together to support our parish,” Orozco added.

As with any other event, teamwork is key.

“We only succeed with the help of several parishioners,” Whitmer said. “There are some key players. However, it’s an event that needs the help of many to pull off yearafter- year.” “Fiesta is truly a team effort, which is what makes it succeed, and we are always looking for more team members,” Orozco said.

Orozco said something new this year will be silent auction items displayed at the Country Store booth on the church grounds. The silent auction will end at 6 p.m. There is also the possibility that Mexican dancers will perform, although that has not been confirmed.

One of the most popular and traditional features of the fiesta is the food. Whether it’s dining-in downstairs in the church basement or ordering take-out outside at the building next to the church, it’s all good.

This year, tostadas, tamales, beef enchiladas and bowls of beans will be served beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing until sold out. Beef enchiladas will be available downstairs only. Carry-out orders will only be taken at the outside location, with the downstairs for dining-in only.

Whitmer said because of limited help, fiesta organizers were not able to make the number of tamales they have in the past, so no presale of tamales was able to take place this year, and with a limited supply of tamales, they may sell out early in the day.

Whitmer said the kids’ games and bingo, two other fiesta staples, start at 5:15 p.m. after the 4 p.m. Mass. A Rosary will be said at 3:30 p.m.

Games will include the fish pond, lollipop spin, dart throw, corn hole, a kiddie barrel train and bounce house (weather permitting).

Jesse and Gabe Orozco will have their hamburger stand, and the pie and ice cream window, another fiesta favorite, will be open again.

Soda pop and iced tea will be served both outside and downstairs.

Raffle tickets will be sold downstairs, and winners will be announced at the conclusion of bingo at 9-9:30 p.m.

Raffle prizes include two $500 cash prizes, a beef bundle, a pork bundle as well as two $50 gift cards, a $30 gift card, a 10-pound brisket from the Smoking Barrel ($250 value), four rounds of 18-holes of golf with a golf cart from the Ellsworth Golf Course and a one-year subscription to the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter.

Over 50 raffle prizes will be drawn.

Whitmer and Orozco are both hoping for a big crowd at the event.

“Our prayers are always that we have a good turnout for the day,” Whitmer said.

“Always pray for success,” Orozco said.

Whitmer said her favorite part of the fiesta is seeing and visiting with people from out-of-town that return year-afteryear.

“And at the end of the day, (it’s) knowing all our dedication and hard work is for our parish,” Whitmer said. “For me, it’s tradition. I was born into this. I witnessed my grandparents, parents and several relatives over the years pour their heart and soul into this event. I know no other way.”

“Fiesta is a reunion time, and the best part is connecting and reconnecting with family, community and those who return to support our parish,” Orozco said.

“Often we have young adults return who have grown up in our parish, families whose tradition on Labor Day weekend is to get food from fiesta, making it a day to celebrate our heritage as Rita mentioned.”

Whitmer said proceeds from the event stay at St.

Ignatius parish to be used for upkeep and to provide for the general needs of the parish.

“We have stained glass windows in the process of being made,” Whitmer noted. “However, out of 10 windows, seven of them have been fully sponsored by individuals.

Upcoming work in the plans is for the flooring on our altar to be replaced.”

As Orozco mentioned, the fiesta is truly a team effort.

“We ask all our parishioners to do their part in helping,” Whitmer said.

“It takes all those that are able to help prepare and work the day of the event. Sadly, our older parishioners, like Bert Rojas and Tomasa and Phyllis Cisneros, have had to step back from the duties and allow the younger generations to take over. However, they are still a big part of the event by us consulting with them every step of the way. We are grateful for their dedication over the many years and still turn to them when we have questions.

“Tim and Veronica Kyler, Evan and Kayla Vague and Phyllis Orozco are other members that are a key to the preparation months in advance of the fiesta. Phyllis travels from Wichita every weekend and she is a big support in the food preparation. We also depend on others outside our parish to work the day of the event. We have several relatives of parishioners that return each year.

“Last year, we asked the high school Stu- Co kiddos to work our stands as a service project. That was a tremendous help. They will be returning this year as their sponsor, Kendra Ploutz, is always willing to encourage her kiddos to volunteer. We are very thankful to all of them.”

Orozco said Lucinda McCasland, Lichelle Miley and Vicky Donley, among others, were also key in making the fiesta a success.

The fiesta has been a tradition in Kanopolis since it began in the late 1940s. It honors the history and heritage of St.

Ignatius Loyola Church.

When Kanopolis was settled, its earliest residents were a diverse lot of French, Hispanic, Italian, German and Bohemian descent. Before a Catholic church was established at Kanopolis, settlers would travel on foot or by train to Ellsworth for Mass.

Every fifth Sunday of the month, the priest would come to Kanopolis for Mass. Eventually, Mass was offered and religious education was provided in the homes of Kanopolis parishioners.

One summer, the Rev.

Ignatius Manzo, a young seminarian, came to teach classes. Following his ordination, he continued his work at Kanopolis, which was becoming a growing Catholic community. Seeing the need for funds, Manzo suggested they sell Mexican food as well as feature games.

Eventually, a drawing was added, and years later, the annual fiesta continues to be the church’s largest fundraiser.

“Last year, we asked the high school Stu- Co kiddos to work our stands as a service project. That was a tremendous help. They will be returning this year as their sponsor, Kendra Ploutz, is always willing to encourage her kiddos to volunteer.

We are very thankful to all of them.”

Rita Whitmer Fiesta organizer