Holiday Color.
Our favorite kickoff to the holiday season is the Fiesta de Tumacácori. On the first full weekend of December, at the Tumacácori National Historical Park just north of Nogales, Arizona, the National Park Service hosts this annual event. It recognizes and celebrates the many cultures that are historically and currently associated with the Santa Cruz River Valley. Both the valley and the local cultures straddle the international border, so it is a diverse and colorful yet very low-key event. We have been going since 2005.
It is hard to say what our favorite part of the Fiesta is, but the stage program always delights us. Among many performances, there are waila (or chicken scratch) music by Tohono O’Odham and Pascua Yaqui musicians, crown dances by Nde (Apache) people, mariachi, and baile folklórico. Performers range from school kids through to semi-professional adults. One group that really took us by surprise our first year was the dancing horses, clad in beautiful finery — it’s truly a sight!
The Fiesta has a variety of booths hosted by regional schools, churches, tribal nations, artisans, and nonprofit organizations. Most raise funds for school and children’s programs. Some sell crafts, art, and jewelry, while others provide organizational information. There is also an educational area that includes activities for both adults and children.
A good number are vendors offer edible fare. These range from local farmers selling fresh field produce, to prepared foods. The latter includes some of the best Mexican and Native American food we’ve ever tasted: carne asada tacos; quesadillas; sincronizadas (a small quesadilla sandwich with the addition of carne asada); elote (grilled corn on the cob); pollo asada; popovers (fry bread) with honey, beans, or red chili; and unforgettable Mexican hot chocolate flavored with almonds and cinnamon. The clear December air is filled with the scent of grilling.
Over a small rise from the Fiesta stands the Mission San Jose de Tumacácori. Founded by Jesuit Father Eusebio Francisco Kino in 1691, it was originally called Mission San Cayetano de Tumacácori, and was the first mission established in what is now Arizona. Following the Pima revolt in 1751, the church was rechristened in honor of San Jose. The Spanish expelled the Jesuits from their entire empire in the late 1760s, and the Franciscans took over the missions in our region. Around 1800, the church we see today was constructed — though never completed — and was used until around 1840. By that date the immediate area had transferred from Spanish to Mexican to United States territory. The mission was abandoned, and much of its adobe construction has gradually melted away.
Our visit last weekend got me in the mood for Holiday Guacamole. Well, that’s what I call it. It starts with a simple guacamole, to which are added diced mango and pomegranate seeds, all topped with a snowy sprinkle of cotija cheese.
~ David
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Mimi Rippee
December 9, 2023 at 5:58 amYour photos are outstanding!!!!The fiesta sounds really fun – a feast for the ears, eyes, and tummy! I love the Christmas guac. Great idea. And the snowy cotija sprinkle is perfect.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:07 amWhenever we go to the festival, it always seems like the beginning of the season. Sometimes, it’s all we need to do to field festive! Glad you like the guacamole… She seems a bit unusual , but it’s a really nice compliment to the other flavors.
angiesrecipes
December 9, 2023 at 6:41 amI would love to experience the fiesta, at least once! It looks so much fun and all the vibrant colours which just make me so happy. The chunky avocado dip with holiday touch is fantastic, David.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:07 amThanks, Angie! We love the fiesta, and it always has something new every year to keep us coming. Glad you like the guacamole, too.
angiesrecipes
December 9, 2023 at 6:42 amI would love to experience the fiesta, at least once! It looks so much fun and all the vibrant colours which just make me so happy. The chunky avocado dip with holiday touch is fantastic, David.
I hope I didn’t send some repetitive comments….
Susan Esco Chandler
December 9, 2023 at 6:54 amThis is just perfect! Makes us want to jump up, grab those avocados and dance! Thank you for giving me the dish that will make Christmas Eve what it needs to be: come one and all to celebrate together!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:08 amI know you will love this, Susan! The combination of sweet, savory, and salty is just perfect. I hope you both have a wonderful Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you very soon in the new year.
Mad Dog
December 9, 2023 at 7:08 amWhat a fabulous fiesta and the Mission looks beautiful in spite of the decay.
I haven’t seen a guaccamole like that before. I doubt I can find cotija cheese in Europe, but I’ll make the recipe and use a substitute.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:09 amWe feel very fortunate that we have such great history here in the Southwest, Mad Dog. The other mission we have is San Xavier, and it is one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever been in. If you can’t find Cotija cheese, a really good alternative would be ricotta salata.
Carolyne
December 9, 2023 at 8:49 amWhile I am not a guacamole fan, your photos have got me in the festive spirit. Thanks for sharing.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:10 amYou aren’t alone, and not liking guacamole, Carolyne. But whenever there’s someone like you around, we are grateful that it leaves more for us! I’m pleased that you enjoy the photos of the fiesta!
Ronit
December 9, 2023 at 9:59 amThe Fiesta sounds like a fun way to experience cultures and foods.
I absolutely love the addition of mango and pomegranate to the guacamole, and topping it with cheese. Brilliant!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:10 amMostly, the guacamole is a traditional combination, but the addition of cheese is some thing that I added, and really like.
Eha Carr
December 9, 2023 at 4:10 pmAs you would guess this is a hugely interesting ‘fairy-tale’ on this aide of the Pond . . . thank you for the photos! Also thanks for a recipe which differs from all of mine – this will be carefully put aside until March-April. Oddly our avocado season lasts from about March-April to Sept . . . in the ‘off season’ mostly Mexican imports are on the shelves – they do not travel the long distance well, have little taste and oft cut rotten . . .
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:11 amThere is nothing worse than a bad avocado, right? I’m glad you enjoyed the photos from the fiesta. I can only imagine how different it is from anything you know… I feel the same way when I see performances from Australia and New Zealand.
The-FoodTrotter
December 10, 2023 at 7:15 amWhat a nice version of guacamole, very festive and most likely super flavorful! Beautiful pics as well, sounds like a lovely celebration 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:12 amThanks, Romain. It is such a fun photography event for me!
Jeff the Chef
December 10, 2023 at 10:44 amThat sounds like a great festival, and even more fun as a tradition. What fabulous photographs! And of course, the guac. I’d never considered a holiday guac before, but it’s beautiful.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:12 amJeff – I really think you should try this holiday guacamole. It’s different and so good!
sherry
December 10, 2023 at 10:26 pmI adore guacamole. I’m not sure about adding cheese 🙂 Love your photos here; the festival sounds really wonderful.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:14 amThis particular cheese adds a wonderful saltiness and not do much cheesiness. I do think you would like it! It’s probably not available to you Down Under — but ricotta salata would work nicely.
Frances Rose Flint
December 11, 2023 at 9:05 amThanks for the wonderful description of the Fiesta.! I would especially like the ‘chicken scratch’ music (although I’ve never heard of it) and also the dancing. I can see the influence that Spanish flamenco dancing has had on the Mexicans with the use of heels on the dancers’ shoes. The addition of pomegranate seeds gives a unique touch to your guacamole and I see you haven’t included the gradational cilantro to your recipe.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 13, 2023 at 8:15 amI do know you would love both the fiesta and the guac, Fran. So much fun, and so flavorful!
Frank | Memorie di Angelina
December 15, 2023 at 7:07 amLooks like a fun time in a gorgeous setting. Those kids in Santa hats are adorable… but it’s hard to imagine people out without a heavy coat this time of year, lol! And I like the idea of mango and pomegranate topping for guacamole, I bet it’d be a big hit in this household.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:25 pmIt’s funny, Frank, we bundle up for the ride down and before you know it we are in t-shirts seeking shade! It’s a fun fiesta — it really starts the season. I think you all will love this guacamole.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
December 16, 2023 at 5:09 pmI love the combination of avocado and mango, so this recipe is called my name. And with the addition of pomegranate seeds, that’s such a tasty and festive fish. Nice spin on guacamole!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 26, 2023 at 4:54 pmI hope you give the guacamole a try, Ben. It’s really so different and very special.
Raymund
December 20, 2023 at 2:24 pmDavid, your post about the Fiesta de Tumacácori transported me right there! It sounds like such a unique and vibrant celebration of the Santa Cruz River Valley’s diverse cultures. Your Holiday Guacamole recipe sounds like the perfect way to bring a bit of the Fiesta spirit home. I can’t wait to try it!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 26, 2023 at 4:54 pmI wish I could have all my blog friends come for the fiesta sometime. It would be really fun to share it with everyone… I’m glad you enjoyed this post, Raymund!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
December 23, 2023 at 12:45 pmThank you for taking us along to the festival, your photos are great and made me feel as if I was there. Your guacamole looks like a decorated Christmas tree with all the colors. I like the pomegranate, mango and cheese that you have added for both texture, taste and color. Merry Christmas to you both.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 26, 2023 at 4:55 pmI like the image of the guacamole looking like a Christmas tree, Karen. That’s very sweet.
Christina Conte
December 29, 2023 at 8:34 pmWhat a fun festival, and oh, that festive guac! My avocados are just starting to be ready for pickin’! Thanks, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 30, 2023 at 12:36 amOh, how I wish I had an avocado tree in my yard!
2pots2cook
January 5, 2024 at 2:58 amAnd I think to myself, what a wonderful world ! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
January 6, 2024 at 9:19 amYes, indeed!
Judee
January 6, 2024 at 8:22 amI really enjoyed this post. The fiesta sounds like so much fun and I love the idea of holiday guacamole. I’ll be giving that a try!
Cocoa & Lavender
January 6, 2024 at 9:21 amThanks, Judee — the nice thing about this guacamole is that it’s not just for holidays! I’m making it tomorrow!