Historic fiesta this Sunday at Pala Mission

PALA — The historic Mission San Antonio de Pala will celebrate its 191st Annual Corpus Christi Fiesta this Sunday, June 3, with American Indians from five reservations in the region participating in the festivities. As a mission for the Indians for whom it was built, it is the only one of its kind in California - serving the largest Indian village in the State.

Founded in 1816, the Pala Mission preserves this fiesta significant of Spanish California, a tradition brought from Spain and still observed there.

The celebration begins at 9:30 a.m. with Holy Mass outside at the olive tree grove. After the Mass service, the priest carries the Blessed Sacrament through the village streets. An equestrian group carrying the American, California and Papal flag will lead the procession accompanied by many groups including the Knights of Columbus, Bird Singers, flower girls who scatter flowers, the Mission choir and Indians from Pala and other reservations will carry their church banners. All are invited to join the procession. At several of the shrines in the village–erected the week before by the Pala Indians–the priest imparts his benediction and blessing.

After the procession, the public is invited to attend the fiesta held in the picnic area at San Juan Diego Center (behind the Mission grounds). A variety of foods will be offered, including pit barbeque prepared by the Pala Fire Dept., Indian Fry Bread, tamales, tacos, desserts, snow cones and much more. There will be game booths for the enjoyment of people of all ages, plus there will be a raffle at the end of the fiesta. Music and entertainers present a variety of Indian and Spanish dances including Bird singers, Indian drummers, Ballet Folkloric and more.

Admission and parking for the fiesta are free. For more information, please call (760) 742-3317.

Directions to Pala Misson, take Hwy 76 East (6 miles from I -15) to the light at Pala Casino, turn left at light (Pala Mission Road) and go about 1/4 mile to stop sign. Past the stop sign, pass the chapel, past the entrance of the school. The next entrance is the San Juan Diego Center; there is plenty of parking there.