Autumn is just upon us and the memories of another summer had just been relegated to fond remembrances. An annual occurrence mostly grouped into the summer “to go events” because most of the features inherent to it apparently fall into the categories that rightfully belong to the season just passed.
The event being referred to is the scheduled celebration of the three-day cultural and trade right at the center of the Southland fondly called Silverado Days on October 17th through the 19th at the Peak Park in Buena Park.
The traditional event, now on its 58 years and still going strong, is being held remember U.S. veterans and heroes as glimpsed from this year’s theme “Silverado Days- Salutes Our Veterans, Our Heroes”. The annual shindig has been a landmark signature event that has reaped multifarious benefits not only to the organizing city, its perennial event co-host, Buena Park Noon Lions Club and other enthusiastic community groups.
Silverado Days has been so successful in drawing participants to the event which enable it to break records not only for attendance but most importantly for being able to raise the needed funds that are channeled back to the community in forms of grants for schools, city projects, parks and many other service projects.
Herminia “Hermie” S. Chua, a nurse in her lifetime and the daughter of Ricardo and Asuncion Santos passed away on September 25 2014 at the age of 60. She was born in the Philippines on January 7, 1954 and was a long- time resident of Torrance, California. She is survived by her husband, Eduardo “Ed” Chua; daughters, Rochelle Anne S. Chua, Kristina Rose Chua; siblings Renato Santos, Julieta Roman, Teresa Pureza and dog “Ace”. Interment is on October 4 after a Mass at Green Hills Memorial at 11:00 a.m.
The weekend bonanza which feature for has come to symbolize the city’s focus on the family by way of games, crafts and contests that are regular features on the site.
Buena Park Noon Lions Club, executor and coordinator of the community-wide event, is bringing back this year the opportunity drawing to give ticket holders a chance at owning a brand new 2014 Silverado pickup truck for minimal amount that’s expected to boost the fund-raising potential of the event.
Buena Park (pop. 80,530) which tags itself as the Center of the Southland is home to several tourist attractions, most notably Knott’s Berry Farm and its sister water park Knott’s Soak City, Pirate’s Dinner Adventure Show, a Medieval Times dinner, a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, the Wax Museum; and the Japanese Village. Asians, Filipino Americans included, constitute six percent of the total population.
Since 1955, the October event has been drawing crowds from within and outside the city that has reached the 80,000 mark. The multi-sectoral event has raised thousands of dollars from its food booths, game booths, arts and crafts booths and carnival rides. Also featured are World Amateur Arm Wrestling Championship, Amateur Horseshoe Contest, Pie-Eating Contest, Hog Calling, Baby Contest, Dog Show, Chili Cook-off and others.
Silverado Days has generated over a million dollars in grants awarded since Silverado Days since 1972 for schools, city projects, parks and many other service projects to help their activities going.
City of Artesia International Street Fair and Diversity Festival
Artesia’s diversity will become more evident this weekend, Oct 4, when its multicultural population “invades” 183rd Street and Pioneer Boulevard for this year’s International Street Fair and Diversity Festival under the aegis of Artesia Chamber of Commerce and the City of Artesia.
The City’s Downtown will be closed to make way for event that’s expected to draw a large crowd who will explore the beauty of this tapestry of culture where at least 48 languages are heard. The boulevards will be a showcase of “authentic and exotic markets, arts and crafts, restaurants and high-end boutiques of fashionable clothing.”
More than fifty merchants and exhibitors from around the world are expected to join the event.