By LISA ANN PHAM

As Questa Farmers Market closes its 10th season, we end our time together with a grand celebration, in collaboration with the 38th Annual Cambalache Harvest Festival.

Throughout time, communities have gathered at summer’s end in gratitude for the gifts of the land, to enjoy the fruits of our labor, reflect on the year’s harvest, and prepare for winter. In this changing of seasons, we ask: What gifts do we have to share? What can be released for regeneration? And what seeds are worthy to plant for the future?

Together we sit in a time of changing the unknown. This has been a difficult year for so many, and our community has found itself divided over what the future holds. Through the many ripples and waves, QFM’s Sunday Market has become a steady place to come together across the wide spectrum of labels and beliefs, finding connection through local food, music, and one another.

In this space, we can imagine and begin to create what we want to build. Who do we want to be? What life do we want to foster, nurture, and grow? What have we learned, and how can we carry these lessons forward?
Give It to Cucui

So much weighs us down – patterns, grief, worries, fears, regret, shame. The list grows heavier with time. It is too much to carry. Write your burdens in your penas, give them to Cucui, and let them rise in the smoke, carried to the Higher Spirit for transformation. Let it release.

Sharing in Bounty

The strength of community is found in times of challenge, and in celebration. Together we share our art, our talents, our bounty, and our own special flavor that makes us each unique. Trading goods is only part of the equation; we all hold gifts to share. Let this be a space to bring them.

Carry Forward

It is easy to focus on what we don’t want, what we don’t like, what ails and bothers us. How often do we get lost in complaint, unable to see the beauty in front of us? How often do we tend to our wishes, our hopes, and our intentions?

In releasing our burdens, we open space for something else to take life. Leave your prayers, wishes and blessings in the collection of prayer ties to carry up to the skies above through the winter months ahead.

Centering Elders & Children

The wisdom taught to us by our Elders holds a special place in our hearts. The joy we hold for our children and the opportunities we open for our youth carry the future of what may be. With focused space for these generational bookends, we help heal our past and nurture our future. Activities and special areas for both will anchor the celebration, as we come together in dance, craft, art, food, commerce, healing and play.

Nobody knows what’s ahead. But this I do: whatever it is, we are better together.
We invite you to join us in celebration, gratitude and honor – for ourselves and each other.
See you there!

Annual Cambalache Brings Music, Tradition, And “The King” To Questa on Oct. 4

By LORA ARCINIEGA

The King is coming to Questa, and organizers are preparing to roll out the red carpet, possibly with a police and fire department escort.

Local Dennis Martinez will perform as Elvis at noon Sunday, Oct. 4, during Questa’s 38th annual Cambalache Harvest Festival at La Placita, the newly named gathering space in the parking lot of the Questa Visitor Center at 1 Highway 38.

Rooted in Spanish bartering traditions, Questa’s Cambalache has a distinct history. “The festival, including its tradition of burning the cucuy, began in Mora before moving to Questa,” says Cynthia Rael-Vigil. Though originally planned as a traveling event, local founders including Cynthia Rael-Vigil, Michael Rael and the late Aaron Rael established the event in Questa over 30 years ago and the community has fully embraced and sustained it. This year, Michael Rael will host live music at La Placita throughout the day.

At 2 p.m., attention turns to the annual Enriquetta Memorial Frito Pie Eating Contest. The contest holds a deep personal meaning for the Rael and Vigil families.

When asked what the competition means in memory of her daughter Enriquetta, Cynthia shared: “It means a lot. We had just started the Frito pie eating contest and she won. It became a popular thing and many of her friends would say they would show up and beat her. She liked Frito pies. It’s a remembrance of her and it means a lot to the family.” Following a huge turnout of participants last year, this year’s competition promises to be just as popular.

The festival concludes at 4 p.m. with the traditional burning of the cucuy. Cynthia fondly recalls gathering old pants, shirts, and shoes alongside Quetta to build the cucuy in past years, a tradition many hands in Questa have helped carry on over the decades.

The free, family-friendly event will bring together music, food, local crafts and community traditions while celebrating the fall harvest and closing out the Questa Farmers Market’s 10th season.

Cambalache Schedule of Entertainment:

10 AM Michael Rael & Gang
11 AM The RyeDeer Show
12 PM Elvis with Dennis Martinez
1 PM Arellano Brothers
2 PM Tios Mios, Enriquetta Memorial Frito Pie Eating Contest
3 PM Questa & San Luis Mariachis
4 PM Burning of cucuy, Michael Rael hosts music and Questa Stories