Fort Stockton Community Theatre announced further support for the first annual Barrio Fest, a Celebration of the Hispanic Culture and Traditions in Fort Stockton, to be held Thursday evening through Sunday morning, Sept. 15-18.

Permian Basin Area Foundation has given $5,000 to help sponsor event publicity, and artist Carolina Flores, who grew up in Fort Stockton and graduated from Fort Stockton High School, and her husband Ramiro Maldonado, have given $3,100 to bring a choir from San Antonio for the Sunday mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

The choir will perform music recorded and transcribed completely by ear by Sister Frances Jean Terrazas, who grew up in Fort Stockton and began her service to God here before moving to San Antonio where she joined the Missionary Catechist of Divine Providence.

These donations are joined with other donations to help make this event a success. The CVB has agreed to sponsor the street dance featuring native son Nunie Rubio and the Tornado Legends on Saturday. Colby Terrazas and Tom Ingram have also made contributions. Sponsorship is still awaited for the Saturday car show.

Guy McCrary, executive director, of Permian Basin Area Foundation, and Flores urge other organizations, businesses, and individuals to be a part of Barrio Fest by helping sponsor events from mariachis ($850) to Spanish films ($550) to be shown Friday and Saturday, and more.

The Community Theatre is waiting to hear about a grant from Humanities Texas that will help pay for a performance of “Las Panzas,” a bilingual play by Teatro Audaz from San Antonio, as well as other historical, cultural, and educational events throughout the weekend.

Barrio Fest events will be free of charge with opportunities for donations. For more information about how to be part of this celebration, call Alice Duerksen at 432-336-3180, J.B. Gallegos at 828-243-5005, Olga Gonzalez at 432-940-1191, or Andres Madrid at 432-360-8044.

Tax deductible donations may be made to Fort Stockton Community Theatre indicating Barrio Fest on the check at P. O. Box 912, Fort Stockton TX 79735.