As the event grows larger, its name grows shorter. And that’s quite all right by .
What started, maybe a decade ago, as an awards dinner called Fiesta on the Plaza is now just Fiesta. And the 2012 edition had an interesting new venue (the National Western Stadium Arena) and a record number of attendees.
“We view the Stock Show arena as a very unpretentious space, much like Clinica Tepeyac,” explains Jim Garcia, founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization located in Denver’s Globeville neighborhood. “It was large enough for our 600 guests, with plenty of room for our silent auction. It also allowed Jesse Ogas and his committee to have some fun with the decor — and boy, did they have fun!”
Working with Yolanda Ortega and Steve Monaco, Ogas enlisted the support of to turn the space into what he describes as a ” Latin America-meets-the-Southwest rainforest,” complete with a functional water fountain so massive that it had to be fork-lifted onto the arena floor.
In all, Nick’s loaned enough palm trees, giant yucca plants and cactus to fill two truckloads.
Ogas, Ortega and Dee Burleson also are the principals in , which showcases both their culinary and singing skills, and while Fiesta’s dinner of tequila-and-herb marinated sirloin and green chile grilled chicken breast was by , the three of them kept everyone entertained with selections from the Anthony Garcia/Daniel Valdez original musical”Chicanos Sing the Blues.”
Even weather forecaster Belen DeLeon, who emceed Fiesta with her 9News colleague Gregg Moss, got into the act, bringing down the house when she joined in the closing number, “Volver, Volver, Volver.”
VIP guests included state Sen. Irene Aguilar; new chief executive, Arthur Gonzalez, and Paula Herzmark, executive director of the Denver Health Foundation; Denver City Council members Deborah Ortega, Paul Lopez and Judy Montero; former U.S. Attorney Henry Solano; and Hope Salazar, wife of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
Also, philanthropists Max and Elaine Appel, the founders of ; Terry Minger and Nancy Gary from the ; Patricia Baca, chair of the Colorado Trust; Rod, Rae and John Tafoya of the restaurants; Mario Carrera, Entravision’s regional vice president; president Nita Gonzales; and Adriana Abarca from .
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/getitwrite
