A weekend full of wows!

Folklorico at the old Guevavi Ranch, horse races in Sonoita, Fiesta Festival in Rio Rico; Christmas in April in Nogales; and the Flea Market at Hilltop Art Gallery. Wow!

Who says there’s nothing to do in Santa Cruz County?

Folklorico is likely the most beneficial fundraiser to the area. Proceeds go to the Santa Cruz Community Foundation, which has granted more than $84,000 this year to several non-profits on both sides of the border. It starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The catered event will include live music and an auction. Among the items this year is a replica of the original 1868 St. Lawrence River mahogany skiff. It would cost more than $20,000 to replace that boat today. The craft and its trailer were donated by Joanna Corrigan Sharples. Her generosity and that of the others who donated items knows no bounds.

Scheduled on the other side of the mountain, is El Moro de Cumpas Stakes. Bringing the race from Douglas was a major coup. All those involved deserve congratulations. It helps put our county on the map in yet another special way.

The international competition, with Mexican and American horses running against each other, will be introduced with great ceremony and fanfare. Don’t miss it.

Also deserving much praise are Gene Earl and the Rio Rico Chamber of Commerce for putting on a weekend event that will rival any county festival. It is the first community festival of this magnitude and long overdue for the more than 20,000 residents of the area. The Fiesta Festival will be combined with an annual emergency response fair organized by the Rio Rico Fire Department. Hats off to Chief Mike Foster and the RRFD crew.

The Christmas in April Rebuilding Together gang along with the folks from the Crawford Street Historic District Association will descend upon the Elm Street home of the late Leo Schwamm who was the tech guru for the City of Nogales for several years. It is a historic gem and will be an even greater asset to our community once the sprucing up is completed. Interested in helping out? Call David Lundstrum at (520) 940-6119.

Last, but certainly not least, art enthusiasts and even those who are not can help boost the cause. A Sangria and Salsa event is scheduled on Friday and wonderful antiques and other items will be on display for an auction set for Sunday. Visitors may also see the auction items on Saturday during a planned flea market.

(Write us at 268 W. View Point Dr., Nogales, Ariz., 85621 or editorial@nogalesinternational.com.)