Vibrant mariachi music reverberated around Legion Park as the sun set behind the trees on Friday, signaling the start of Woodburn’s annual Fiesta Mexicana . The crowd cheered as the lead singer of Mariachi Luz De Oro , meaning light of gold, sang a rendition of “Cruz De Madera,” cross of wood, to the tune of bright trumpets and stringed instruments. Made up of Woodburn High School graduates, the mariachi band was forged by a shared passion for the Mexican style of music.
That cultural appreciation and celebration was at the forefront of the three-day festival, which is celebrating 60 years. From Friday through Sunday, the festival is honoring Mexican culture in Wooburn with live performances, food and artisan booths, carnival rides, soccer tournaments, lucha libre, or wrestling, and a parade. The community event gives the booming Latino population in the area an opportunity to engage with their heritage, bringing together people from all walks of life.
A significant portion of Woodburn’s community is made up Latinos, who made up over 60% of the city’s population in 2020, or 16,020 out of 26,013 residents, according to the census . This demographic has steadily increased since the 1960s, when many arrived to work in agriculture. Looking around the park Friday evening, it seemed as if the entire city was in attendance.
Children enjoyed carnival rides and soccer games. Teenagers snacked on mango slices and danced to live music. Families sat at picnic tables, watching the performances and sharing plates of tacos bought from vendors at the event.
The event draws almost 30,000 people to the park, said Rev. Luis Molina, the senior pastor at Woodburn Foursquare Church. “That’s what we are known for is — that it’s a safe place for families,” said Molina.
“No one is left out, everyone has a chance to participate.” Molina, a member of the Woodburn community for 30 years, was deeply honored to be named the grand marshal of the festival parade in 2021, especially as the first Guatemalan to receive this recognition. He has been an integral member of the community, serving in the church, as the volunteer chaplain for the first responders of Woodburn and an avid member of the community, supporting improvements in the city, such as a soccer field he helped fundraise for and construct.
“About 20 years ago, I became more like a shepherd for the community,” he said. “Last year, we had a huge wave of Guatemalans migrating to the city ..
. so on the fourth Sunday of the month, we don’t have church. We have a parking lot with food and music.
That’s how we build community with the Guatemalans.” Whether through a soccer ball or a taco, they can connect without needing to understand the language, said Molina, noting that the immigrants speak a dialect that isn’t widely understood. Molina’s work in the city can be felt by the members of the community who come to celebrate in the Fiesta Mexicana, which is a cultural event cherished by many who have grown up in the town.
Irene Rodriguez Estrada, the 2024 Festival Queen, has fond memories of the annual event, which she grew up attending. “I remember feeling at home,” said Rodriguez Estrada. “And then to come here and see everyone share the same culture, we’re building that bridge with our community and Mexican culture.
And I thought it was such a beautiful thing to see.” As a member of the Fiesta Court, Rodriguez Estrada has been a part of a leadership development program with workshops in professionalism and public speaking, which helps north Marion County high school students in 11th and 12th grade make an impact in their community. “I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl with my parents and sisters,” said Rodriguez Estrada.
“So it’s been a dream of mine to be in the court as long as I can remember.” Following in the footsteps of her older sister, who was crowned 2019 Festival Queen, Rodriguez Estrada is excited to be an inspiration for younger generations to pursue education and leadership. This year boasts the largest Fiesta Court to date, with 10 members from the county, and the first male member of the court.
The program is just one of the annual traditions that continues to grow and adapt from the Fiesta Mexicana, which began as a harvest festival 60 years ago organized by the farmers and workers in the community. “I think partly we do this to continue to instill our culture and our traditions in our younger generation,” said Marciela Guerrero, community relations manager for city of Woodburn. “So I think sometimes it’s easy to get lost, but this is really something that will continue to keep here.
” Celebrating culture, language and the diversity of the community, the annual festival continues to be an integral part of Woodburn that will persist for many years to come, Guerrero said. “I look forward to the community getting together and celebrating, celebrating who we are as Woodburn, what we have here, the diversity that brings those cultures together,” Guerrero said. “This is one thing that is open and it’s welcoming .
.. come and learn and take part.
” Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana continues from 10 a.m. to 11 p.
m., Saturday, Aug. 17 and 10 a.
m. to 10 p.m.
, Sunday, Aug. 18, Legion Park, 1385 Park Ave., Woodburn, woodburn-or.
gov — Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; [email protected] or @chiara_profenna The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.
J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content.
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