Fans from all over the world will flock to Corpus Christi, Texas, this weekend to celebrate the late singer.
Fiesta de la Flor is finally here!
Over 20 years after her death, Selena Quintanilla continues to be immortalized by fans all over the world. This year’s Fiesta de la Flor, an annual festival celebrating the queen of Tejano music, kicked things off on Friday in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The two-day celebration will feature a performance by Becky G, a silent disco, panels and a makeup tutorial by YouTube star Desi Perkins.
“Selena was always so proud of her hometown,” Selena’s sister, Suzette Quintanilla, told ET ahead of the festival. “And in most interviews, she would say, ‘I’m from Corpus Christi, you should come visit us sometime.”
“We loved the idea of having the festival in Corpus Christi,” Suzette continued, adding that she, along with city officials, helped plan the annual event which debuted in 2015. In previous years, approximately 56,000 people attended the event with attendance rising every year.
“There isn’t a festival of this caliber in our city or that has [celebrated] our culture,” she continued. “People fly in from literally all over the world to celebrate her life. There’s tons of food, music and a kids zone.”
Suzette also reflected on her sister’s lasting legacy.
“It’s crazy, trust me. It’s surprising to me. I’ve been here for the past [23] years just watching her legacy grow,” she told ET. “She is very much a trendsetter to this day. She’s timeless. All the great legends are. Look at Michael Jackson, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, all these people who made a mark in our world.”
“I’m very honored to say Selena is a legend and her legacy is still much alive today,” she continued. “Her legacy is also my legacy. Our music is what fuels everything.”
Over the years, Becky G has been vocal about her love for Selena. ET’s Deidre Behar spoke with the “Mayores” singer earlier this year, where she revealed how she became involved with the festival.
“It was a pretty surreal thing when A.B. [Quintanilla] was trying to get a hold of me on the phone. I mean, that's her brother, one, but one of the people who was closest to her, toured the world with her and created everything with her,” Becky explained. “For them to reach out to me and ask me to headline a festival that is in her honor to celebrate everything that she's done is incredible."
“She was the epitome of everything that I needed growing up. That Spanglish life, a little bit of English, a little bit of Spanish. You don't have to choose,” Becky said, who grew up in Inglewood, California. “I always say, I'm the 200%. 100% Latina just as much as I am 100% American. I shouldn't have to divide myself to live in both worlds."
"The festival will be a lot of fun," she said, adding that “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” was the first Selena song that inspired her. “Anybody can sing that, you know? It’s catchy!”
Joining Becky G at the festival will be The Mavericks, Los Palominos and Elida Reyna, among others.
“I’m so grateful that we’re able to have Selena still here very much in everybody's hearts,” Suzette told ET. “We’re able to turn on the radio or listen to her music or turn on the TV and see the Selena movie, or watch her performances on YouTube. We’re truly blessed. Our family really is.”
For more on Selena, watch the video below.
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