Honoring laborers: Dia del Campesino puts focus on Mexican heritage By JENN KLEIN - Staff Writer HAMILTON CITY -- A day to honor area farm laborers also celebrated Mexican heritage and provided an opportunity to learn. As the sounds of a mariachi band played in the background, a crowd of mostly Hispanic residents gathered Sunday to eat, socialize and learn at the 19th annual Dia del Campesino, or "Day of the Farmworker." The event sought to honor area farm laborers -- campesinos in Spanish -- in Butte and surrounding counties. As well as entertainment and food, numerous booths set up around the Hamilton City Park with various organizations offered information on health, employment training, education and other social services. Those at the event noted the importance of such festivals to the community and to their heritage. "It's important, in this case, for all the people who work in field. It motivates them to keep doing their job," Chico resident Sophia Cortez said. Cortez, who was originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, was there with children performers in the Ballet Folklorico de Parkview, who she provides dance costumes for. Orland resident Maria Paredes came to Dia del Campesino with her family and said she liked being around the activity, music and people. Paredes, who is originally from Michoacán, Mexico and now works in Chico in the sunflower seed industry, said she would definitely return to next year's event. "It's good for the community, especially Hispanics, to get more information," Paredes said through her daughter, who translated for her to an Enterprise-Record reporter. Chico resident Rose Aguilar came to watch her daughter perform in the Ballet Folklorico. All of the girls in the dance group are enrolled in a multicultural immersion program at Parkview School, where the students learn to read and write fluently in both Spanish and English. "It's important to our kids to keep up with their heritage, know where they came from," Aguilar said. Liliana Mata, 8, said she came with her family every year to Dia del Campesino and liked hearing the music and taking part in the activities. "I think it's good," she said. San Jose resident Leticia Zepada came to Dia del Campesino to watch her grandson dance and said it was good to showcase a Mexican background. "I've noticed that a lot of families are here, a lot of families gathering. So I guess it's good for the families," Zepada said. This marked the 19th year for the Dia del Campesino, which rotates locations between Chico, Gridley and Hamilton City. |