Corpus Christi celebrates the life and legacy of Selena at Fiesta de la Flor. The third annual event is set for March 24-15, 2017.
A new two-day music festival celebrating the life and legacy of legendary singer Selena Quintanilla Perez kicks off in Corpus Christi April 17-18. Fiesta de la Flor will feature Grammy award winning artists, activities, food and fireworks, along with a special outdoor screening of the movie Selena. All the action will take place at North Bayfront Park in downtown Corpus Christi.
The Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with sponsor Citgo, announced the festival at a press conference this week at the Selena Museum. The talent line-up includes Steven James and The Jades, Las Fenix, Los Lobos, A.B. & Los Kumbia Kings and Little Joe y La Familia.
Selena represents a very special part of the story that is Corpus Christi, said CVB CEO Paulette Kluge at the press conference.
“Selena’s impact on our hearts and within in our community is immeasurable,” Kluge said. “We call that legacy. Selena’s legacy brings pride to the Quintanilla family, to Tejano music and to the community of Corpus Christi.”
The patriarch of the Quintanilla family and president and CEO of Q Productions, Abraham Quintanilla, thanked the CVB for working to make the festival a reality.
“It’s about time,” he said. “Any part of the world you go to and you mention Corpus Christi, Texas, they say,”Ahhh, Selena.”
The movie helped spread the word of her life and legacy, he said, making her an international phenomena.
“It is a story anybody can relate to because it involves family,” he said. “At the end of the day, it is all about family. Friends may come and go, but your family is there forever.”
Mayor Nelda Martinez added that the singer’s “genuineness” is what drew people to her.
“She surfaced above all the other talented people out there because of her love of people and her love of her home,” Martinez said. “Anytime you would hear her in an interview, she would mention Corpus Christi. And Corpus Christi is proud to call Selena our own.”
A website and Facebook page launched this week with information about the festival. Tickets to the event are $5 general admission, $2 for ages 5-12 and free for those under the age of 5.
Officials hope Fiesta de la Flor will become an annual celebration of Corpus Christi’s favorite daughter. “I can hardly wait until we are up here saying we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Fiesta de la Flor,” said Mayor Martinez as the press conference drew to a close.
And as it says on the Selena Facebook page, "Get your 'bidi bidi bom bom' to Corpus Christi" April 17-18.
