Turtle tradition

Thirty-five years after eight turtles — six borrowed from a local pet shop — lined up for the first race in Tortugas, families are still coming back. 

The San Juan Fiesta returns June 26-28 at the Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, bringing together generations of Tortugueños for a weekend of food, music, dancing and the community’s signature Turtle Derby. What began as a way to get children involved has grown into one of the village’s most recognizable traditions while continuing to support the church at the heart of the community. 

“We tried to figure out a way to get the kids involved,” said Frank Torres, who helped create the Turtle Derby alongside David Fierro 35 years ago. “If we could attract the kids, then the parents were going to come and support the fiesta and help out the church.” 

The idea came from the village itself. Tortugas, the Spanish word for turtles, inspired organizers to create a race centered around an animal already tied to the community’s identity. 

The first derby featured only eight turtles. Today, participation regularly draws dozens of entrants, with children decorating turtles, creating names for them and competing during one of the fiesta’s most anticipated events. 

“I have registered as many as 190 turtles for the race,” Torres said. “Kids just love it.” 

Torres said one of his favorite parts of the event is watching families return year after year. 

“They’ll decorate their turtles themselves, and they come up with interesting names,” Torres said. “It’s pretty cool to watch the kids.” 

While the Turtle Derby often draws the most attention, organizers say the fiesta’s purpose extends far beyond the races. The annual celebration supports church programs throughout the year. 

“It is the biggest fundraiser for the church,” said Cecilia Martinez-Paz, co-chair of the fiesta. “It’s a family affair. We try to have food and games and things that the children can participate in also.” 

Martinez-Paz said organizers start preparing in January, securing entertainment, organizing food booths and coordinating volunteers needed to make the three-day event possible. Among the most popular attractions are the gorditas and red enchiladas, longtime favorites that continue drawing visitors from across the region. 

“Our biggest seller is the gorditas,” Martinez-Paz said. “They’ve been doing them for years and that really brings in a lot of people.” 

For David Fierro, who has spent roughly four decades helping organize the fiesta, the event has always been about more than fundraising. 

“It’s like a family reunion for the Tortugueños,” Fierro said. “People know when the fiesta is and they come from all over to see friends and help the church.” 

Fierro said the gathering gives former residents and longtime families an opportunity to reconnect while passing traditions on to younger generations. The fiesta honors San Juan, one of the village’s patron saints, and remains one of Tortugas’ most enduring annual celebrations. 

Fierro said 144 golfers have already signed up for this year’s Tortugas Open golf tournament, one of the fiesta’s largest fundraisers. Visitors can expect live music, dancing, food booths, Kiddie Land activities, the Tortugas Open golf tournament and the 35th annual Turtle Derby. 

“It’s very family-oriented,” Martinez-Paz said. “We try and include everybody. You can come and be a part of this big family.” 

That sense of community is what Fierro believes has sustained the event through generations. 

“I hope that when they come to Tortugas, they go away feeling like a Tortugueño,” Fierro said. 

The San Juan Fiesta will be held June 26-28 at the Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Tortugas. The weekend begins with the 19th annual Tortugas Open golf tournament at 8 a.m. June 26 at the NMSU Golf Course, followed by a Tardeada from 8 p.m. to midnight June 27. On June 28, food booths open at 8 a.m., Turtle Derby registration begins at 11 a.m., Kiddie Land opens at noon and the 35th annual Turtle Derby starts at 2 p.m. The fiesta also features live entertainment, dancing, food booths and family activities throughout the weekend.