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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 19, 2018)
Wednesday, September 19, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 5 Sisters turns out for celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day By Katy Yoder Correspondent Organizers and commu- nity members alike were thrilled with the turnout for the first Sisters commu- nity celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day. Red, white, and green balloons and streamers decorated Fir Street Park. Following the holiday tradition, a symbolic bell was rung to remember the heroic call to arms by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in the town of Dolores in 1810. An eight- piece mariachi band, Los Temerosos from Hood River, sang and played for the smil- ing audience. Emcees Jodi Winnwalker and Juan Zendejas of La Bronca 1240 Radio addressed the crowd of around 150 people in both English and Spanish. The Latino com- munity in Sisters worked with C4C (Citizens 4 Community) and local busi- nesses to produce Sisters’ first celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day or Dia de la Independencia. Folkloric dancers swirled in their brightly colored dresses like flowers in the wind. For decades there’s been some confusion in the U.S. about Cinco de Mayo being Mexico’s day of indepen- dence. It turns out that holiday was promoted by alcoholic beverage companies to sell alcohol and is not celebrated in Mexico. September 16, 1810, is the actual day Father Hidalgo made the first cry for independence in a moving speech in the Mexican town of Dolores. It was the begin- ning of the struggle for inde- pendence and is a beloved national holiday in Mexico. Latino folks appreciated the opportunity to celebrate their holiday with friends and eager celebrants from the Sisters community. Gabriela Mendoza attended with her friends and was overcome with emotion. The event was the first time she’d celebrated the holiday in public in the U.S. “We stopped a long time ago because there was no place to celebrate. This makes me happy but also homesick,” said Mendoza through local translator Gabriella Peña. Mendoza is also grateful to feel Sisters embrace its small Latino community. “We want to thank the organiz- ers and the people who came to the event,” she said. According to orga- nizer Roberto Islas there are approximately 30 Latino families from countries like Mexico, Ecuador, Peru and Columbia living in Sisters Country. He was happy to see the cross-cultural connection happening in the park. Abraham Gonzalez reiter- ated the distinction that this holiday is much more impor- tant to Mexicans than Cinco de Mayo. “This is the core of Mexican culture. It feels good to have all our brothers and sisters in one place,” he said. Gonzalez explained that Mexico has states and a diverse population that differs from one state to the next. “My wife is from Seattle. Mexicans are from all over. We enjoy the cultures together. That’s what makes you a Mexican, embracing the culture,” he said. Gonzalez hopes that events like this will help break down stereotypes and racism based on ignorance. “Once we get to know each other, we realize we have a lot in common,” he said. Radio DJ Juan Zendejas said the event was his first time in Sisters. His Spanish PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK Folkloric dancers whirled their colorful skirts in celebration at Fir Street Park on Sunday. language station is based in Redmond and reaches close to 35,000 Latinos living in Central Oregon. He was glad to be asked to help with the event and looks forward to helping make it even bigger next year. The three main organiz- ers, Wendy Birnbaum, Jodi Winnwalker and Roberto Islas couldn’t stop smiling as they watched children listening to the music, danc- ing and their families laugh- ing and enjoying the beauti- ful day. Three food carts pro- vided Mexican food, and with a portion of Main Avenue closed for the event, diners had a place to sit down and truly enjoy their meal. The intention of the event was to recognize diversity within a culture of inclusion. “We wanted people to BREWS FOOD 9TH ANNUAL learn about Mexican culture by mixing them together just like family,” said Birnbaum. Being able to celebrate a holiday similar to the Fourth of July in the U.S. was greatly appreciated by many par- ticipants. Jorge Fernandez enjoyed seeing both cultures spending time together. “I haven’t heard a maria- chi band in 25 years,” he said wistfully. “This is a blessing.” T U N ES c by GLEN Musi WATKINS LEADBETTER BAND + MORE $1 er $15 p Token 4 oz Pour Pint Glass + 5 Tokens SEPTEMBER 29 AT THREE CREEKS BREWING PRODUCTION FACILITY 265 E. BARCLAY DR., SISTERS 12-8 PM • Re-Roof & New Construction • Composite, Metal, Flat & Cedar Shake Products • Free Estimates • Transferable Warranties • 10-Year Workmanship Guarantee Family Owned & Operated for 19 Years 24+ OREGON BREWERIES Hosted by _ Sponsored by est. 1845 541-526-5143 ccb#203769 SISTERSFRESHHOPFEST.COM
