Every year for the past 35 years, (with a brief break during the COVID shutdown), The Hispanic Resource Council of Northern California (HRCNC) has presented the colorful Dia Del Campesino festival in one of the five North State counties. The council moves the site of the event among three cities, Chico, Hamilton City and Gridley to address issues of access and disparity. The festival gathers dozens of community organizations in one place, providing access to free services and resources vital to low-income families and individuals.
Calpuli Tonazin Ketzalcoatl, a middle school girls’ dance troop from Hamilton City, perform traditional dances from Jalisco, Mexico.
Reyna Nolta, President of the Hispanic Resource Council embraces Officer of the Mexican Consulate, Maria Guadalupe Muñoz.
Providing access to community resources
The Hispanic Resource Council of Northern California was founded in 1983 to assist community agencies and businesses that have Hispanic/Latinos among their clientele. Goals include advocacy for improving access to services to Spanish-speaking citizens and to promote sensitivity to cultural differences.
The founding members believed it was critical to gather community agencies and resources in one place on one day for agricultural workers to be made aware of and have access to much-needed community resources. This vision led in 1988 to the first Dia Del Camposino. According to Reyna Nolta, President of the Hispanic Resource Council and Senior Service Coordinator at Far Northern Regional Center, Dia Del Campesino has grown from 25 participating agencies and organizations in the beginning to 70 at last year’s festival.
Entertainment, music, art and prizes
Colorful Aztec dancers will kick off this year’s Dia Del Campesino on Oct 1 from noon to 5 pm, as the festival fills Hamilton City Community Park in Hamilton City with entertainment, art, music and over 50 agencies offering free resources. Free flu and COVID vaccinations, medical screenings and a mobile dental clinic will be available, as well as free car seats and child safety helmets.
Girls’ and boys’ bikes will be raffled off and HRCNC will be giving out approximately $4000 worth in prizes including food cards. Children who visit booths and get their “passports” stamped at 35 booths can pick out prizes, books, backpacks or art supplies. Adults with stamped passports will be entered to win prizes or a $50 gift card to a local food store. Children will have an opportunity to enter an art contest and the top three winners will win gift cards to Michael’s. Winner’s names will be included on next year’s Dia Del Campesino flyer.
Perennial favorite 100% native Aztec dancer Martin will perform at the festival again this year.
Everyone is welcome
“All ethnicities are welcome at the festival,” says Reyna. “We have representation from almost every South American culture and country and Spanish translators are available throughout the festival.” Health and wellness are emphasized, and no tobacco or alcohol is allowed at the event.
This exciting festival is run entirely by volunteers, who make it successful year after year. HRC provides verification of community service hours to students who volunteer to help out during the festival. For information on volunteering, or to make a donation to support this vitally important event, call or email Reyna Nolta (530) 519-3118 rnolta@farnorthernrc.org. Students can also show up day of the event and check in at main HRCNC as a volunteer.
If you miss the festival this year, next year’s festival is October 6 in Gridley.
Visit Dia Del Campesino and the Hispanic Council of Northern California on Facebook.
Posted in: Cultural Awareness, Education
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