2012 Book Signing and Lecture Series

Thursday, January 19, 2012
A Gift of Angels - The Art of Mission San Xavier del Bac
by Bernard L. Fontana

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Dry River - Stories of Life, Death, and Redemption on the Santa Cruz
by Ken Lamberton

Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Opatas - In Search of a Sonoran People
by David A. Yetman

Friday, March 16, 2012
Arizona - Celebration of the Grand Canyon State
by Jim Turner

Friday, March 23, 2012
Father Kino's Herbs - Growing & Using Them Today
by Jacqueline A. Soule

All Lectures - 2 p.m.
Location: Tumacácori National Historical Park
Normal park entrance fee applies

Tumacácori National Historical Park and Western National Parks Association (WNPA) are the cosponsors of this series.

Each book signing will include discussion of the featured book by the author, an opportunity for questions, and time for conversation with the author along with signing of the book. Books will be available for sale.

WNPA is a nonprofit cooperating association of the National Park Service (NPS), founded to support the interpretive activities of national parks though publications and donations. The association operates bookstores in sixty-six NPS sites, including Tumacácori. Each of the books featured in the book signing series is sold in the park's visitor center bookstore. All proceeds benefit WNPA, and thereby benefit the park.

NPS Photo by Jerry Ingram

Costumed mass participants

Historic Reenactment Mass
Saturday, October 20, 2012
10:00 a.m.
Free!

In conjunction with Tubac State Historic Park's Annual Anza Day Celebration

Once each year a Catholic Mass is celebrated inside the Tumacácori Mission church as it would have been during the time that Tumacácori was an active mission community. Participants are invited, but not required, to wear Spanish style clothing like that which would have been worn around the turn of the 19th century. A reenactment ride to Tubac of Spanish-attired soldiers leaves from the church immediately following the Mass, in commemoration of Juan Bautista de Anza's historic expedition to California in 1775-1776. 

NPS Photo

Folklorico dancers and mariachi band at La Fiesta de Tumacácori

La Fiesta de Tumacácori
Saturday, December 1
and Sunday, December 2, 2012
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Free!

Held every year -
First full weekend in December

In recognition and celebration of the many cultures that were historically and are presently associated with the Santa Cruz Valley, the Tumacácori Fiesta presents the traditional creations of these cultures. The fiesta features around fifty food and craft booths, continuous live entertainment on stage, and children's activities each day. On Sunday, the day begins at 10:00 a.m. in front of the visitor center with a procession through the Fiesta grounds to the church, followed by a traditional Mariachi Mass in front of the church. The mission grounds are open throughout the weekend and admission is free.

Scheduled Performances Change Every Year

For an idea of what to expect, here is the most recent schedule:

 La Fiesta de Tumacácori 2011

(Schedule changes may occur due to circumstances beyond our control.)

(Refresh this web page to view the latest updates.)

SATURDAY, December 3, 2011

9:45 - 10:00         Blessing and opening of the 41^st annual Tumacácori Fiesta

10:00 - 11:00        Francisco Quintana from Tucson, AZ

11:00 - 12:00        Lourdes School Folklorico Dance Group from Nogales, AZ  

12:00 - 1:00          La Junta Loca from southern Arizona                                           

1:00 - 2:00           Ted Ramirez from Tucson, AZ

2:00 - 3:00           Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ from Chandler, AZ

3:00 - 4:00           Mariachi Plata from Nogales, AZ

4:00 - 5:00           Pure Native Waila Band from Tucson, AZ

SUNDAY, December 4, 2010

Sunday will begin with a traditional Mariachi Procession and Mass in front of the old mission church. The procession begins in front of the visitor center at 10:00. Mass begins when the procession returns to the church at approximately 10:30.

Please note that no photos are permitted during the procession or Mass, or while sacred dances are being performed. ("NO PHOTOS" signs will be posted prominently at restricted times and locations.)

10:00            Mariachi Procession with Mass to follow (at approximately 10:30)

11:30 -12:30     Southern Arizona Old Time Fiddlers from Tucson, AZ

12:30 - 1:30      Seguridad Social Baile Folklorico from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico

1:30 - 2:00        Black Mountain Singers and Drummers from San Xavier,Tucson, AZ

2:00 - 3:00       Theodore Roosevelt Middle School Crown Dancers from Fort Apache, AZ

3:00 - 4:00       Mariachi Luz de Luna from Tucson, AZ

4:00 - 5:00        Dennis Lopez Waila Band and Wes Henajkam Kwaliyadam Cuadrilla dancers from Tucson

5:00                  Fiesta Closes

Side Performances, Saturday and Sunday

·      Traditional Food, Craft, and Information Booths - all day

·      All day Papel de China paper flower making, living history enactors, rawhide braiding, leatherworking

·      Guided Walks to the Santa Cruz River - 12:30 and 2:30

·      Hourly Guided Tours of the Mission - 10:00 to 4:00 Saturday, 12:00 - 4:00 Sunday

At the Discovery Corner, Saturday and Sunday

·      Adobe brick making, mano and metate mesquite bean grinding, historic costumes, petroglyph art, live raptors, games, crafts, and many other exciting activities.

Please note that dogs or other pets are not allowed in the park or on the Fiesta grounds during the Fiesta weekend. The Tumacácori Anza Trailhead is closed to horseback riders during the Fiesta.