San Ignacio lights up 118th year

San Ignacio Fiesta, the longest-running celebration in Southwest Colorado, hosted another fun-filled event this weekend.

The 73rd annual parade, live music, horseshoe tournament and Fiesta dance were among the official Fiesta festivities, while a salsa slam, brisket cook-off and duck race were hosted by other groups and businesses in Ignacio.

This year's queen is Yllana Howe, first attendant is D'Vondra Garcia and second attendant is Grace Gonzales. The king is Jace Carmeneros, and king runner up is Michael Merritt.

The grand prize winner in this year's parade is the Connie Manzanares Memorial Float.

First place in music went to the Los Mitotitos Band, second to Joker's Wild.

First place in commercial was awarded to Ignacio Family Medicine, second place to The Rose Café.

The La Plata County Sheriff's office won first place in the civic category of the parade, followed by the La Plata County Democratic Party.

In the Royalty category, Miss New Mexico Latina took first place, followed by Southern Ute Tribal Royalty in second place.

Los Colores de Ignacio took first place in the dancing category.

SUCAP's annual Duck Race entry won the automotive category, followed by the 1956 Chevy sedan.

First place in the Memorium float category was awarded to the St. Kateri-Brian Olguin memorial float.

Lynn Jack won first place in the single horse category, while the Ron D View Ranch Wagon won the horse pair prize. The Bayfield Belles took honors for best horse group. Lisa and David Bachman took first place for the best horse-drawn entry.

Lily Quintana and Cyrus Casias won the children's riding float award, followed by Audrina Bartley in second and Alana Brado with third place. The Matthew Toledo kissing booth won the entry in children's walking.

In the horseshoe tournament, Eli Harry and Jay Harry of Farmington took first place in doubles, followed by Waymore Callado of Dulce and Dennis Whedbee of Bloomfield in second place and Duane Callado and Garren Dedias of Dulce taking third.

The singles winner is Eli Harry, and Stacey Trujillo of Tinian, N.M. took second.

In the Farmers Fresh Market third annual barbecue cook-off, Jeff Whitmore with J Dubbs Rubb won the brisket category. Todd McCoy with Smokin' Salt Creek took the ribs category, while Brian Wright with Republic of Texas BBQ won the chicken. Whitmore and J Dubbs Rubb took the people's choice award.

SUCAP duck race winners are Jim Senger, who is the winner of the grand prize of $400, Bob Chavey with $200 and Roy O'John, who took the third-place prize of $100.

Finally, St. Ignatius Church hosted its annual dinner, bingo and raffle on Sunday. Winners are:

Grand prize of paddle boards, Irma Rock; second place $500 cash, Antonio Cloud; third place Pendleton blanket, Mary Vigil; fourth place Yeti cooler, Jazmin Carmeneros; fifth place $250 Tom Atencio; sixth place quilt, Robert Lopez; seventh place Big O Productions presentation, Jazmin Carmeneros; eighth place DeWalt tools, Jessica Rock; ninth place $200 cash Joseph Garcia; 10th place Seven Rivers gift card R. Warren; 11th place blender, Cosio family; 12th place headphones, Lawrence Bartley; 13th place Rock 'N Roller passes, Archie Cruz; 14th place coffee basket, Ada Cruz; 15th place $100 cash Dina Mestas; 16th place Native necklace, McKeen Martinez.