Beginning in August, Chanute will recognize its rich Mexican ancestry with the 106th Mexican Fiesta. The crowning of the king and queen and their court is Aug. 19, followed by the noon-to-midnight celebration on Sept. 16.
Bryleigh Hinkle and Selena Herrera of Iola are among the candidates vying for the title of “Little Queen,” for this year’s fiesta.
Penney donations count as votes for the girls, who have jars scattered about at various locations.
Bryleigh Hinkle
Bryleigh is 8 years old and the daughter of Brian and Veronica Hinkle. She will be entering second grade at Iola Elementary School.
Her hobbies include dancing, riding bikes, drawing and taking care of her animals.
Bryleigh is a member of the In Step Dance Academy. Her favorite styles are jazz and musical theater.
With a goal of becoming a veterinarian one day, Bryleigh loves her pets. Her menagerie includes two budgies, Blue and Rick; two cats, Sunshine and Moon, and two dogs, Zip, a pitbull mastiff mix, and a chihuahua named Elfie.
“He has really big ears,” she explained.
To vote for Bryleigh, jars are placed at El Rincon restaurant in Chanute and G&W Foods, 3 Generations and Deja-Nu consignment shops, 4 Ms bookstore, In Step Dance Academy and Duane’s Flowers in Iola.
Selena Herrera
Selena is 9 years old and the daughter of Mikki and Lennin Herrera. She is one of six children. She will be a fourth-grader at Iola Elementary School this fall.
Selena’s Hispanic ancestry includes her maternal grandparents from Mexico and her father, who is from Nandaime, Nicaragua.
Selena loves art and dance. She is a member of Miss Chelsea’s Dance Academy. Her favorite styles are hip hop, ballet, tap and musical theater.
Selena said she is looking forward to the Sept. 16 Fiesta in part because “it’s the same day as my birthday.”
