Festival of St. Francis of Assisi at Lucio Blanco, Tamulipas, Mexico

The St. Francis of Assisi festivals an annual, sponsored by the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, in Lucio Blanco, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the life and legacy of St. Francis of Assisi, and it also serves as a fundraiser for the sponsoring church. It is also one of the many events that brings the community together for food, fellowship and fun.

Left: In the middle of the "Food Court," there is a area with tables and chairs set up so folks can sit down and eat. Right: This costumed Shetland Pony was a very popular attraction at the festival.

To devout Catholics, their patron saint is St. Francis of Assisi, a lover of nature who believed that every creature was a word from God; who can argue with that? The festival of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated as a way of affirming his love of nature, animals, and life in general, and at many parishes, the celebration includes a special prayer for the occasion, and it includes a blessing for St. Francis' special love of animals:

Left: Here's the beverage stand where I purchased my piña colada. Booze at a church fundraiser? Why not? Right: My piña colada is being made by the friendly guy working the stand.

“Blessed are You, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask You to bless this pet. By the power of Your love, enable it to live according to Your plan. May we always praise You for all Your beauty in creation. Blessed are You, Lord our God, in all Your creatures! Amen.”

I was fortunate to be visiting my friends Jerry and Edna, so I was able to attend the 2006 celebration, which took place on Wednesday, October 4, 2006. Our friends Rodolfo Rincón and his family were operating a tostada stand at the festival, so we were looking forward to an excellent meal, and having some fun with some of the friendly locals that we've become acquainted with.

Left: This vendor was very enthusiastic about having her photo taken. It's hard to see in the photo, but the main items she's selling are Marlboro cigarettes, both regular and light varieties. This is a church fundraiser? Right: This gentleman couldn't help but to show me his muscles as I snapped his photo.

I asked Rodolfo why the festival was being held on a Wednesday, as it seemed like a Friday or a Saturday night would be more appropriate, as fewer folks would have to drag themselves out of bed the next day and go to work. He told me that since October 4th is St. Francis of Assisi day, than that's the day they hold their festival.

The festival is held in the town square, which faces the church, and is a grassy, park that occupies a city block. The festival starts in the late afternoon with Mass, and after mass, the food, fun and games begin.

The festival is free, but since the idea is to raise money for the church, there are many puestas, booths and impromptu diners offering food, drinks and souvenirs. Tables are placed near the center of the festival, near most of the vendors selling food, so diners can have a place to sit down and relax enjoy the delicious food, sitting down. Since this festival is a church-sponsored event, its mostly "dry," but I managed to find one booth selling mixed drinks, and I purchased a watered-down piña colada for $40.00. Despite the inflated price, I knew the proceeds were going to a good cause, so I didn't have any room to gripe. Besides, one of the purposes of the festival is to have fun!

Left: This boy reminds me of the phrase, taken from the movie, Castaway, "Man, I've discovered FIRE!" Right: Another view of the "Food Court," where patrons of the many food stands can sit down and eat.

In addition to the food vendors, the festival featured vendors selling balloons, locally-crafted souvenirs, toys, games, and sweets. There was also a guy who had a decorated Shetland pony, who was pacing it around the festival, and allowing kids to sit on it, and have their parents take a photo. Also, a section was cordoned off, as there was a live band playing salsa and banda music, and for an extra fee, you could enter the area and watch the live band do their thing. They had a large section reserved for dancers, and as I peeked through the canvass, I noticed that they had quite a crowd of couples, dancing to the music. Since we had so much to do, we really didn't get a chance to admire this part of the festival.

Our friend Rodolfo had a tostada stand set up near the band, and he was doing a brisk business selling beef or chicken tostadas, with the proceeds going toward the church. He told me there was a vendor selling menudo, which sounded too good to be true, considering it was after dark on a Wednesday night, as menudo is a traditional breakfast food in Mexico. I managed to find the menudo vendor, and they had been selling menudo, but alas, they were out of the delicious soup. But all was not lost, as I simply walked back to Rodolfo's stand and purchased a plate of beef tostadas to satisfy my hunger.

Left: Rodolfo's girls prepare "fixin's" and veggies for his fine tacos and tostadas behind the stand that he's set up for the festival. Right: Rodolfo and Jerry discuss the merits of Rodolfo's fine tacos.

Jerry and Edna spent most of their time chatting with Rodolfo and Dora, while I cruised the event taking photos and talking to some of the folks that I'd met during my last week in the Lucio Blanco area. Lucio Blanco is home to many wonderful, friendly people, who will treat you like family. It was fun to walk around the festival, chatting with friendly people and taking photos of people doing fun things.

After spending a couple of hours at the festival, we were getting ready to leave. Just as we were about to leave, we heard a roar of thunder and then the rain started. As we started to make our way back to Jerry's truck, it seems that almost everybody except the vendors left as the rain started. I can't blame them, as it was chilly and dark, and the rain definitely made things wet. I looked back over my shoulder and observed vendors hurriedly packing up their goods and closing up their shops. I couldn't wonder what happened to the band and the dancers... who says it sometimes doesn't rain on their parade?

Left: I managed to snap a photo of these folks playing a friendly game of Mexican dominoes. Right: These folks were serving menudo, but we arrived too late, as their fine soup was sold out.

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