La Quinceañera

...Continued from yesterday:
    Saturday afternoon of May 19 we were among the celebrants of the Quinceañera of Kasandra Torres, the Quinceañera being the traditional Mexican "coming out" party celebrating a girl's 15th birthday. "La Quinceañera" also refers to the girl whose birthday is being celebrated. 

     Kasandra, La Quinceañera.

    Kasy is the sister of my son-in-law's sister-in-law Dulce, center, here with her other sister Yucari and their Mom, Delia.

     The celebration began at 4 pm with a mass at St. Anthony of Padua church in downtown Wickenburg, a lovely Old Spanish-style building.

     We were able to walk to the church from our hotel.

    The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion, Kasy's Quinceañera theme being "Under the Sea."

    The men wore sea shell boutonnieres.

     The mass began with a procession.

   A beautiful traditional Mexican waltz played while the two attendants, Kasy's nephew José Luis, right, and family friend Luis, led the procession down the aisle to the music with a stylized step.

    The attendants were followed by Kasy's mother Delia, accompanied by family member Francisco,

...Miguel's mom Lolita accompanied by one of her sons, Juan Carlos,

...and finally Kasandra, La Quinceañera,

...looking sweet and lovely as a princess.

     The mass was in Spanish, but I could understand the prayers and the celebrant's wishes for Kasy for joy and good paths in life.

     Kasy and her mother offering a prayer and Kasy's bouquet to the Blessed Virgin.

      At the end of the mass Kasy and her attendants led the recessional to the same lovely waltz as was played during the procession.

     Then it was time for pictures,

...and many good wishes.

     From the church we walked to the Wickenburg Community Center,

...which had been festively decked out for the reception in the "Under the Sea" theme.

   There was a table of traditional Mexican sweets,

...such as tamarind sticks dipped in chili powder.

    The table of La Quinceañera.

    At Kasy's table were a pair of high heels, as the Quinceañera signifies  a girl's transition to adulthood and, symbolically at least, the first time she will wear high heels.

     After most of the guests had arrived,

...Kasy was honored on stage,

...then dinner was served.

     The meal was delicious,  chicken in a chipotle sauce with a side of seasoned rice casserole and vegetables.

    Miguel’s mother Lolita cooked all the food, though Theresa and Callie popped back to help her serve (That's Lolita next to Theresa but hidden behind the server) .

     After dinner there was socializing,

...and playing,

...and photo ops.

Dulce, sister of La Quinceañera

      Miguel's grandmother Nina.

…and fun at the photo booth,

…and a box into which we could drop our good wishes written on a sea shell, 

…and many wonderful and beautifully arranged snacks, also prepared by Lolita.

 Lolita also made the beauti-ful cake,

...as well as a cake for every table to share.

    After Kasy and her attendants danced the Quinceañera waltz,

...the guests joined in the dancing,

...and were joined by some entertaining folks,

...including a giant glowing robot man,

...who was the hit of the dance floor.

    It was a magical evening.