All of Tucson is invited to celebrate the traditional beginning of the monsoon rains at the 17th annual Día de San Juan Fiesta this Tuesday, June 24th, from 5-10pm at Mercado San Agustin on 885 W. Congress St.
The free lively fiesta will feature a procession, live music and local charity food booths serving authentic homemade Mexican favorites. In addition to food vendors and non-alcoholic drinks for all, the fiesta is especially focused on keeping a family-friendly atmosphere, with arts & crafts, games and other activities aimed at children, including free water and watermelon.
As the story goes, El Día de San Juan honors the Saints Day of St. John the Baptist, and has been celebrated by families living on the southwest side of Tucson for a century. Local tradition cites St. John the Baptist as the one who brings the rains to the washes, kicking off the monsoon season in the Old Pueblo. The fiesta begins with a procession, which displays an antique statue of San Juan Bautista. Prayers from many different cultural traditions are offered. In addition to traditional folklorico dancers, Mexican cowboys and skilled charros and escaramuzas will also perform tricks on horseback.
Following the procession, the Día de San Juan Fiesta heats up, with live entertainment from Gertie & the T.O. Boyz, Mariachi Viva la Mujer and more. As with the fiesta’s theme of the monsoon season and renewal, free water bottles will be provided and local community agencies will also be present to offer resource information.
For this specific event, organizers regret to inform that no animals are allowed, save for licensed service dogs.
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