photo by: Mike Yoder

Singers Alejandro López and Ylyosil Marcano perform at the St. John’s Mexican Fiesta on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at St John’s Catholic Parish, 1234 Kentucky St.

St. John’s Mexican Fiesta of food, music, dancing and games on Saturday is coming one week earlier than normal to take advantage of cooler temperatures.

The 43rd annual fiesta will kick off with Mariachi Girasol at 4 p.m. at St John’s Catholic Parish, 1234 Kentucky St., followed by singer Daniella Valdez at 5 p.m. The dancing will start at 6 p.m. with a performance by Grupo Folklorico Izcalli. Headlining the event will be 2024 Kansas Music Hall of Fame inductee Son Venezuela at 7 p.m., and, to close the night, Tejano artists Grupo Picante will perform at 9 p.m.

The fiesta features authentic Mexican food and drinks served throughout the night, plus carnival games and other Mexican traditions. Organizers encourage patrons to bring cash, as credit card readers will be limited.

No pets and no outside food and drink are allowed at the fiesta.

The fiesta this year received grants from the Douglas County Heritage Events and Celebrations Fund and the City of Lawrence 2025 Unmistakable Event Grant, said Jacinta Hoyt with the St. John’s Catholic Parish.

“After last year’s fiesta we decided to move it up to the weekend before Father’s Day and see if we could avoid scorching temps,” Hoyt said.

Temperatures for Saturday are expected to be partly cloudy with highs in the upper 70s, according to the National Weather Service in Topeka.

Money raised by the fiesta will fund a Spanish language program at St. John’s School and a scholarship fund for post-secondary education to Mexican youth in Lawrence, according to the event’s website.