As a young girl marks her young womanhood with a quinceañera, there is much to celebrate. Of course, there is much to do for that celebration. Finding the right dress, the right shoes, the right flowers, the right hairdo, the right venue, the right food and so on ... can be a daunting task for any family. That’s where MÁS magazine’s Third annual Quinceañera Expo steps in to save the day! And that special celebration! This year’s event is noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, June 14 at East Hills Mall. It is free and open to the public. “Our Quinceañera Expo is one-stop shopping,” said Gene Garaygordobil, managing editor at MÁS. “We gather all the top vendors for quinceañeras and have them available to answer any questions and to show their different services to prospective clients.” In addition to the various vendor booths — where information on services and products will be available — MÁS is proud to present several local entertainment acts at the Expo, including SoLuna and SoLunita folklorico groups performing traditional quinceañera waltzes. Mariachi groups will also perform. MÁS recruited local quinceañera models for a complete fashion show that will give girls and their families previews of all the latest fashions in quinceañera designs. Of course, there will be the traditional white princess-like dresses as well. Even quinceañera accessories to complete the look of that special day, like a sparkling tiara, will be on display.

Those in attendance at the Expo will have the chance to win a raffle prize with the various drawings and prize giveaways. Throughout this special Quinceañera Issue of MÁS, you’ll find articles on fashion tips, beauty advice and the cultural history of the ceremony itself. We also visit with two Bakersfield women who each had a quinceañera and talk to them about what it meant at the time and what it means now. Though these women come from different generations, you’ll see that when it comes to quinceañeras, there is much that remains the same — no matter when the event takes place. Another feature article shows an actual quinceañera that took place very recently in Delano. You’ll get an insider view, both in beautiful photos as well as the story behind this young woman’s Big Day. And if you want to have a “destination quinceañera,” nearby Disneyland has special packages just for the occasion. Talk about princess treatment, right in the heart of “The Happiest Place on Earth.”

It should be noted that the 2008 MÁS Quinceañera Issue received natinonal recognition, receiving a bronze award in the Jose Marti Publishing awards given annually by the National Association of Hispanic Publications. “We plan on entering this 2009 Quinceañera Issue as well and hope that we can continue to enjoy the honor of national recognition for MÁS,” Garaygordobil said. “We continue to be proud of our publication and dedicated to our faithful readers, so it’s always nice to be awarded for our efforts.” Garaygordobil hopes that anyone reading this issue of MÁS will find it helpful in planning a quinceañera and says that by attending the 2009 Quinceañera Expo, people are sure to get a wealth of resources to plan the perfect quinceañera for their loved one. “Since a quinceañera is a day to celebrate, we want to make it easier to find the best ways to make that celebration both easier and even more special — and we believe our Expo will do that,” he said.

2009 Quinceañera Expo

Noon to 4 p.m.

East Hills Mall

Free & open to the public

Details, 716-8640

www.masbakersfield.com