Accolades for Cinco de Mayo Festival

Patsy Loughboro, a member of the Fallbrook Democratic Club, had urged the Club to participate in the Cinco de Mayo festivities, emphasizing that the aims of the organizers meshed so well with the Club’s theme “Together, American can do better.” How right she was.

I have seldom seen such togetherness as the organizers of this event displayed, with such energy and obvious enjoyment of their task. We were welcomed by Glen Zajic, who promised we would have a booth within 20 minutes. We did. After observing Glen’s energy, and his positive interaction, I inquired and learned he is one of our dynamic citizens who work to bring direction to disadvantaged kids as a mentor in the Guidance and Nurturing Support (GANAS) program. I observed how well young people interacted with him, and began to understand the purpose of the festival interweaves with the Fallbrook Democratic Club: “Together Fallbrook can do better.”

This event brought together diverse ethnic groups and families for a fun event. The music, dancing and singing provided a full afternoon of quality entertainment, and all for free. The Irish and Gaelic dancers and costumes were every bit as colorful as the lively El Folkloric Hermonica. But who would have expected Russian, Ukrainian and Hungarian folk dancing to draw as much admiration as Mexican folkloric among the large Latino audience?

Seeing kids as young as eight performing folkdances skillfully with older peers was a real demonstration of togetherness in Fallbrook. At the end of the day, I had a warm feeling: A community that dances together, sings together and plays together will create a safer and better Fallbrook and a better America.

I applaud Pat Braendel and Myriam Padilla, co-chairwomen of this delightful event. They had aimed to create togetherness and respect for others cultures. They succeeded brilliantly.

Joe Howard Crews