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

This year’s festival is Saturday, Sept. 3, at the church in Kanopolis.

“For the most part, our parishioners know that this is our major fundraiser and to pitch in to help,” said Veronica Kyler, one of the organizers of the Fiesta.

Kyler said she knows people voiced concerns last year about having bingo in the church basement because players sat too close to each other, and some people didn’t attend the games because of that.

“So getting things back as normal as we can, the bingo will be back outside this year,” she said.

Kyler said there will be kids games outside of the church after Mass.

“We will serve food outside and downstairs like we always do,” she said.

Food will be served starting at 11 a.m. until it is gone.

Games include the Fish Pond, Lollipop Spin, Dart Throw, Corn Hole, a Kiddie Barrel Train and a Bounce House (weather permitting).

“Unfortunately, our price of food has gone up, due to increase price of supplies,” Kyler added.

Kyler said 72 and a half dozen homemade tamales were pre-sold earlier this year. She said a total of 134 dozen were made.

This year’s menu includes homemade tacos, tostadas, tamales and beans and beef enchiladas. The enchiladas will only be sold downstairs.

“We will be frying shells on Thursday morning (Sept. 1) after Mass and Friday morning (Sept. 2) we will be cooking tamales, beans and making sauces,” Kyler said.

Jesse and Gabe Orozco will have their hamburger stand. The pie and ice cream window, another Fiesta favorite, will also be open.

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

A Rosary will be said at 3 p.m., followed by Mass at 4 p.m. Bingo will start at 6 p.m. outside. Downstairs raffle tickets will be sold in addition to the food and drinks.

The familiar country store will also be open on the church grounds.

Fiesta raffle winners will be announced at 9 p.m. Prizes include two $500 cash prizes, a beef bundle, a pork bundle as well as $25 gift certificates. A total of 37 raffle prizes are to be drawn. Raffle tickets are available from any St. Ignatius parishioner.

Kyler said she is hoping for a big crowd.

“Maybe with people wanting to get outside this year for Fiesta, we’ll see a crowd increase,” Kyler said, adding she looked ahead at the weather, and it looks like mid 80s and partly cloudy.

“But one never knows about the weather,” she said. That’s a higher power in charge.”

Kyler said her favorite part of the Fiesta is the camaraderie.

“I enjoy seeing our parishioners working side-by-side and the people that come to enjoy Fiesta with us,” she said. “Enjoying themselves and visiting with people you haven’t seen in awhile or just meeting up with their neighbors.”

Kyler said she is relinquishing her main cashier duties this year back to the Vernon Dolezal family.

“I’m going to be out in the carry out building unless I’m needed somewhere else,” she said. “I guess I’m going to be a floater this year and try to ensure things running as smooth as possible.”

The Fiesta has become a tradition in Kanopolis since it began in the late 1940s. Kyler and her crew follow in the footsteps of those seasoned veterans who have been involved in organizing the Fiesta and overseeing the cooking for many years, such as Tomasa “Tommie” Cisneros and Alberta “Bert” Rojas.

All have on thing in common — they carry on that tradition while encouraging the younger generation to volunteer their time to get involved and keep the Fiesta alive in the future.

“I would like to extend an invitation to one and all,” she said. “Come enjoy our Fiesta, great food and friendship, and if so inclined, stay and join in the fun. Viva La Fiesta.”

The Fiesta honors the history and heritage of the 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 the 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. Years later, the annual Fiesta continues to be the church’s largest fundraiser.

Proceeds from the Fiesta are used to help local charities or to provide relief to natural disaster victims. In the past, donations have been used to help cover the expense of church upgrades.

For more information on the Fiesta, call Kyler at (785) 472-6668.