The 47th annual Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana takes place this weekend, August 6 through 8, 2010.
The festival’s beginnings can be traced to 1964, when merchant Russell Baglien and the local Chamber of Commerce threw a small casual event at the 1/2 block library park.
After 1964, the first “Fiesta” created energy of its own. More people heard about it, more people came and today the “FIESTA” is the largest and most recognized annual event in Woodburn, as well as, the surrounding communities. The population of migrant people who came to the area to work and return to their native states has now evolved into a significant Mexican-American population; the majority are recent immigrants. Three factors worked in tandem in changing the demographics in this area or Marion County: (1) fertile soil and many crops that thrive in our climate; (2) farmers in need of expanding their agricultural products and (3) the families from the southwest who were willing to venture to the area in search of a better life. The rest is history; and each family with their own unique story on why they settled in the Woodburn area.
Today the Woodburn Fiesta features authentic food from various regions of Mexico, salsa dancing, charros, and fútbol. A Fiesta Court represents Woodburn and other communities.
The festival is held at Legion Park, and runs from noon until 11pm on Friday, 10am until11pm on Saturday, and 10am until 9pm on Sunday. Admission is only $3 for adults, $1 for those 18 and under, and infants get in free.
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