Fiesta de la Flor sells out

A festival to celebrate the life and legacy of Selena Quintanilla Perez sold out for Saturday, April 18, events. Fiesta de la Flor will be at North Bayfront Park in downtown Corpus Christi April 17-18. Tickets are still available for Friday. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $5 for adults; $2 for children 6-12; free for children 5 and younger.
Twenty years after her death, the young singer’s celebrity continues to grow in its impact and reach, especially into the lives of young Latinas. 
“When a 5-year-old girl comes up and tells me, ‘Selena is my favorite singer,’ I realize that her fan base is still growing,” said Selena’s sister, Suzette Quintanilla-Arriaga. “She is a perfect role model, especially for Latinas. She showed that anything is possible if you work for it.”
The idea for the event was initiated by the Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau (CCCVB), which initially estimated a crowd of about 50,000 visitors. Based on hotel bookings and the media coverage after the event’s announcement in February, that estimate has been bumped up to 75,000 visitors with an expected economic impact of well over $1 million.
The CCCVB discovered what the Quintanilla family already knew: Selena fans draw thousands of visitors to this area every year.  
The family opened a museum in 1998 in response to an outpouring from fans who wrote to the family or would come by Q-Production studios, the family business where Selena recorded much of her music. The Selena Museum showcases her stage costumes, many of her awards and personal memorabilia.
“Thousands of people visit the museum from all over — ALL over,” Quintanilla-Arriaga said. “Over Spring Break this year, we were topping as many as 600 visitors a day.” 
Her fans are not restricted to any demographic or even geographic area. 
“Selena has many fans from the United States and South America,” added Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, “but we have had visitors from as far away as Japan, Australia and Europe who want to come see Selena’s hometown.” 
All of which makes Fiesta de la Flor a perfect fit for Corpus Christi. Visitors bureau CEO Paulette Kluge explained more. 
“Our team wanted to honor this beautiful, talented woman for the hearts that she has touched and the substantial contributions that she has made to the culture of our city,” she said. “Selena’s impact on the hearts and lives of so many has been immeasurable, and this annual event will serve as a tribute to her as well as the cultural contributions of Tejano music worldwide.”
The event coincides with the singer’s birthday. Selena would have celebrated her 44th birthday April 16, adding to the celebratory aspect.
“We are so excited for the festival,” Quintanilla-Arriaga said. “Excited isn’t even a strong enough word. Selena was so proud of her city, and this will be a great opportunity for people from all over to experience the hospitality of Corpus Christi.” 
The festival is a family-friendly event with a wide range of vendors and activities. There will be a special screening of the movie “Selena” presented by the Alamo Drafthouse’s Rolling Roadshow. The two-day festival will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks display.
An impressive list of award-winning Tejano musicians will perform including Selena’s brother’s band, A.B. & Los Kumbia Kings, as well as Selena’s husband, Chris Perez, who also was the lead guitarist in her band, Selena y Los Dinos. 
For a complete schedule of festival events and ticket information, visit fiestadelaflor.com.

The Lasting Legacy of Selena

The fervent and abiding adoration of Selena fans has become more evident after her death, especially here in her hometown of Corpus Christi, where fans can visit a museum and recording studio, a seaside memorial and even her gravesite. 
“While she was alive, we really did not have any idea how impactful her legacy was,” recalled her sister, Suzette Quintanilla-Arriaga. “We we were all working hard every day doing what we do. We knew that success was building, but what we experienced at the time of her memorial service was overwhelming.”
Selena was killed 20 years ago at the age of 24. More than 50,000 people came to Corpus Christi to attend her memorial service. 
“It was beautiful, and we appreciated all of the love and support,” Quintanilla-Arriaga said, “but it was very surreal.”
Now, 20 years later, Selena’s life and music still influence young fans.
“We are so appreciative of everyone from her fans to the DJs who still play her music,” Quintanilla-Arriaga said. “I appreciate the fact that when they play her songs, they never say, ‘the late Selena.’ They just say ‘Selena’ because she truly does live on through her music.”
Selena might be best known for introducing Tejano music to a broader audience. She also played a large role in putting the Hispanic community on the map as a demographic that should be recognized by companies, advertisers and the media. 
After her death, People magazine published a traditional issue with Selena on the cover. The issue included a tribute article about her life and death. Copies of that issue sold out nearly overnight. Executives at the magazine were stunned by the sales but responded aptly by publishing two more commemorative issues, which again sold out!
This shed a light on the purchasing power of the Latino market and ultimately led to the launch of People en Español in October 1996. Today, Spanish language magazines are an everyday part of a newsstand’s mix. 
The family carries on
In facing the loss of their famous loved one, the Quintanilla family has shown a grace and dignity not always evident when fame and fortune taints a family’s grieving process. The Quintanillas strive to put family first when faced with decisions that will affect the singer’s longtime legacy and fortune.
In interviews and countless awards speeches, Selena spoke of the support and guidance of her family. Family members played integral roles in helping Selena reach her success. Her father was an astute business manager and her brother, A.B., a talented songwriter and producer. Her sister was a member in the band, and her mother worked tirelessly as the band toured the many small venues in the early days. However, they always put family first and business second.
“We are a united family,” Quintanilla-Arriaga said. “We experienced the loss of Selena as a family. We lost a daughter and a sister. It is hard to believe it has been 20 years. But we have carried on by supporting one another.
“Most importantly, though,” Quintanilla-Arriaga emphasized, “Selena was a good and decent person. She genuinely cared about her fans. When she spoke to them, she would look them right in the eyes and make them feel very special. She loved Corpus Christi and loved to share her town with the world.”