A colorful Fiesta on the Plaza

La Cucaracha! It was a night for dancing and singing, and happy meet-ups for friends and supporters at The Clinica Tepeyac 20th Anniversary celebration held Saturday, September 27th. The Annual ‘Fiesta on the Plaza’ is always colorful and festive. This year the roaming musicians were strumming among a Latino flavored street market atmosphere, providing music and laughter among the throngs of supporters. Everyone was either chatting up old friends, eating chips & salsa, sipping a margarita or shopping for brightly colored handmade items such as Mexican and Peruvian blankets, scarves, purses, jewelry, pottery, and local original art.

The Clinica Tepeyac is a well-respected and much loved organization in Denver. From the beginning its goal was to insure that every person who walked through the clinic’s door was welcomed and treated with the highest level of compassion. Jim Garcia, Executive Director and Founder, let it be known, Clinica Tepeyac is a volunteer-driven organization. From the podium, he recognized those who were there in the beginning. The evening’s highlight honored the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and Ken & Hope Salazar for their unwavering support throughout the last twenty years. Governor Hickenlooper didn’t spare his praise for Ken & Hope Salazar when he described the couple as the quintessential couple. “Together, they represent the ‘heart & soul’ of Colorado.”

Gregg Moss and Belen DeLeon, the Channel 9News duo, were enthusiastic and pleased to be involved with the night’s celebration. DeLeon, a South Texas girl, was a singer in a band before coming to Denver television.  She delighted the audience as she belted out a beautiful song in Spanish. Mayor Hancock followed DeLeon on stage. As he stood at the podium with a big smile plastered across his face, he informed the crowd, “I’m going to watch Channel 9 weather from now on.”

With exquisite entertainment from the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance ensemble, the Grupo Folklorico Sabor Latino and Mariachi Vasquez, the 20th Anniversary of Clinica Tepeyac was a true fiestal that rang with colorful non-stop focus.

Reggie Rivers, former Denver Broncos, wooed the crowd with his charm and enthusiasm as he bantered with the audience to raise bids for live auction packages such as dinner for four at the Chophouse Brewery (Reggie Rivers at the table, was part of the package); VIP package for the 37th Starz Denver Film Festival, a New Mexico vacation, signed football by Karl Mecklenburg, original art by Lynn Fresquez and much more.

The Clinica Tepeyac depends on Denver’s support through donations and volunteers. For more information on how to be a part of this worthy organization call 720-274-2923. If you need medical help contact the clinic at 303-458-5302. Clinic is located at 5075 Lincoln, Denver, 80216.  www.clinicatepeyac.org