Kindergarten Kermes

On Friday, November 25th, the kindergarten students and teachers at Centro Santa Catalina held their annual kermes combined with the celebration of el Día de la Revolución. For those not familiar with the word "kermes" it means a bazaar or a fund-raising event.

Parents contributed food so that those in attendance could buy  elotes (corn on the cob), tamales, tostadas, nachos, soda, and champurado (a hot drink made with hominy flour and chocolate).

Though it had rained during the night the sun made a warm appearance as the morning began. Lively music from loudspeakers set the stage for the children's dance performances. 

First came the grand march with all the children dancing around the play area, dressed in revolutionary period costume.

The pre-kindergarten children then presented their dance. If not always in step with each other they made up for lack of coordination with great enthusiasm. 

The first class of kindergarten students began their dance just as the clouds reappeared with the promise of imminent rain.

Near the end of the dance the sprinkles began--and then almost without warning the skies opened and it poured rain like we have not seen in Juarez in over a year. At first the children kept dancing but when they realized that everyone else was running for shelter they ran, too!

The sale of food went on under the shelter of the patio but unfortunately the last three groups did not get to present their dances for the admiring parents. Who would have thought that a November kermes could be cut short by rain!