HOW THE FIESTA WAS BORN

HOW THE FIESTA WAS BORN

In "The City of Unity"

  Miguel A. Salinas

Historian

Late 40 and early 50’s    Texanos or Mexican-American Migrant Families began to migrate to Marion County, Oregon from Texas and the southern western states and a few from Mexico.  Woodburn became one of the major stops for migrants.  Most early migrants liked to live in smaller towns and could not afford to pay rent, thus they preferred to live in camps.  Below is a photo of the Davidson’s camp in St. Paul.  Some of our local residents used to live in these camps.  Concrete floors, wooden stoves, out-houses and close proximity to field work were the essentials for the migrants.

Mr. Ron Petrie’s class in St. Paul. 1^st  7^th and 8^th grade class of Texanos and Anglo students.   Today, Ron lives in Oregon City five minutes from my house.

The 50’s and 60’s  The presence of migrants in the Woodburn area became more visible in the early 60’s.  A new relationship began to blend between the migrants and the residents of Woodburn and surrounding communities; some of the early families in the 50’s  were:  Valdez, Flores, Cordova, Chavez, Olvera and Saldana.

By 1964   As a gesture of “good will” and under the leadership of Russell Baglien President of the Chamber of Commerce and numerous merchants the first “Fiesta” took place at the library park.  REASON-Celebrate the end of the harvest and promote cultural exchange and appreciation; I was there!

Russ (R) chatting with Sam Smith at the “Pioneros de Oregon” annual event June, 2009.  Sam Smith is from St. Paul and understands well the emergence of migrant families 50+ years ago.

Most of the agricultural work was performed by migrants and the “Fiesta” provided a forum to say “Gracias” and to acknowledge an emerging language and culture in the community.  The majority of the migrants would return home in the fall; the majority to Texas.

Migrant workers in the hop fields in St. Paul.  Most field work would start in March and many families would stay until the end of the harvest which was late September.  Crops such as strawberries, beans, and vine-berries were the most common.

1^st Fiesta Queen The first Fiesta Queen was Francisca Gonzalez who still resides in Woodburn.  

Maria Guadalupe Garcia (R-photo below) an active member of the community and the 1^st Tejana WHS graduate-1964- also helped bridge communication and planning between the Anglo and Tejano-Mexican-Americans.

“Garcia Family” Erineo (RIP)- no photo  and Francisca (Kika)..holding the family’s plaque..

Leon Saldana (photo below) and others begin to emerge as community leaders. Leon would donate much of his vacation to the annual FIESTA.  Leon passed away in June, 2009; most of his family resides in the area and most of his children were involved in the FIESTA for many years.

The 70’s  A new blend was evident by the early 70’s.  Mexican nationals and Tejanos begin to work on common projects.  St. Luke Church was one of the main hubs for activities.  Traditional religious pilgrimage was one of the early celebrations  La Virgen de “Guadalupe”  ..

“Los Danzantes” led by “Chino”

A special dance-pilgrimage similar to Native American customs in the US.

In the 70’s the pavilion at Legion Park became a project via which Woodburn’s JC’s and members of the WLAC worked together; one of the 1^ST if not, the only project ever been done by the leadership from two different cultural groups and civic organizations. (see photo in the next column)  JC’S and LAC. 

 By 1989 the Fiesta was now a project that was promoted and coordinated by the Latin American Club.  The community celebrated its 25^th anniversary. 

THESE WERE THE LAC MEMBERS

On the 25^th Anniversary

THIS FLYER WAS GIVEN TO THE CITY COUNCIL IN 2010

MIGUEL'S VIEW POINT 

COLONIOLISM IS ALIVE AND WELL IN WOODBURN, OREGON.

AFTER 45 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL SPONSORHIP OF THE ANNUAL FIESTA BY THE WOODBURN CLUB LATINO AMERICANO…THE CITY'S POLITICOS IN THEIR WISDOM TOOK AWAY THE EVENT THAT HELPED PUT WOODBURN ON THE MAP. 

THEY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW COMERS I.E., THE NEW MEXICAN NATIONALS WHO DON'T GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL POLITICS.  NOT EVEN THOSE WHO PURPORT TO HELP THE COMMUNITY CAME TO ASSIT.  THE AGENCIES TOO BUSY WITH THEIR GRANT-WRITING AND PERHAPS EVEN HELPING THE CITY BEHIND THE SCENES BY NOT GETTING INVOLVED. 

COLLECTIVELY AND FOR THE MOST PART THE NEW POPULATION IS HUMBLE ANDHAVE A LOW THRESHOLD OF SUCCESS!

The city officials and for that matter those who serve the new comers know that the new arrivals are weak.  This situation creates a 2nd Class Community. 

Few will complain as many might officially be visiting and/or not possess the documents that can propel them into a more active role. 

It hurts my heart to see this TRAGEDY taking place in many of the city's social, cultural and economic arteries. 

AN ANTHOLOGY OF THE FIESTA IS BEING WRITTEN FOR THE EYES OF THE COMMUNITY TO SEE AND JUDGE.

THE LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE -WOODBURN DECIDED THAT THE FIESTA WAS

NOT A VIABLE OPTION FOR THEM.  IT WAS NOT AN ECONOMIC INTEREST…THIS IN ITSELF TELLS THE FULL STORY..

IT WAS NEVER AN ECONOMIC ENDEAVOR FOR THE WOODBURN CLUB LATINO AMERICANO.  INSTEAD IT WAS AN ACTIVITY DEVOTED TO BREAK EVEN, BUT TO OFFER THE MEJICANO COMMUNITY A PLACE IN THE "SUN"… ONCE A YEAR AS IT WAS FIRST INTENDED IN 1964...TO CELEBRATE THE END OF HARVEST AND PROMOTE CULTURAL EXCHANGE OPPORUNTIES. 

THE HISPANIC FACTOR HAS BECOME A REVENUE SOURCE FOR MANY OF THE LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS WHICH INCLUDES THE LOCAL POLITICOS AND/OR AGENCIES WORKING UNDER THE POPULAR DESIGNATION OF … NOT-FOR-PROFIT STATUS.

MY FILE IS REPLETE WITH INFORMATION IF ANYONE WISHES TO DEBATE AND/OR PRESENT ANOTHER VIEW ..Please use the CONTACT PAGE! 

Cordially, Miguel