By Annie Lane
Surrounded by the famous murals that make Chicano Park a powerful and spiritual refuge on a regular day, it is impossible not to be affected by the deep traditions that make up the Chicano culture while visiting during the 43rd annual Chicano Park Day.
Not even the blistering sun could keep thousands from coming to celebrate throughout the day. This year marks the first that the park and its murals have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since being established by Chicano activists on April 22, 1970.
The event showcased classic cars, vendors, food, music and Aztec dancers, and was attended by couples and families alike — many of whom have been taking part in this celebration for years.
“I was 13 years old when I first donned feathers on my head and rattles on my feet for the 19th annual Chicano Park Day celebration,” writes Barrio Logan resident Olympia Andrade Beltrán in her article, Drums Beat at the Heart of Chicano Park. “… It’s a beautiful feeling, looking out at elders with their grandchildren, fathers and sons in homeboy t-shirts clad with images of Cuauhtemoc and lowriders, and sharing this connection to the ancestors with them.”
The event ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. For more information about the park, visit chicano-park.org.
All photos by Annie Lane.
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A crowd gathers on Chicano Park Day -
Chicano Park Takeover mural. -
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Originally published on April 21, 2013.
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Annie Lane
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Wonderful photos. It’s great to be able to participate vicariously in these neighborhood events when I’m unable to attend in person. Thank you!
Beautiful photos! Thank you for capturing the essence of the day: culture, family & food!
Annie- fabulous photos. You captured the deep spirituality, the energy and rich colors. Thank you.
Annie, you got it! Lovely photos to go with story. Felicitaciones, amiga mia!
There’s a huge statue of Cuauhtémoc in Tijuana on one of the traffic circles on Paseo de los Heroes. I wish I knew how to pronounce his name and knew something about him. Anyway it’s good to see this example of solidarity between San Diego and Tijuana.
Kwah-tem-oak
Thank you, ladies!
John, that’s cool. I hope you’ll take a picture the next time you’re there. I’d love to see it.
Annie, great series. How do these compare with those you took on our trolley ride last year?
Ms. Lane,
Your photos are getting better. Some photos are pretty nice, others are not well composed. There are to many photos in this series too. Try picking ten photos and then cutting in down to three. Why are we looking at people’s backs?
Try framing and composing a little tighter to focus attention on your subject. For example, the person with the feathers, the iceman and the young child are well done.
Thank you,
Groucho
Wow. What a jerk comment.
How rude can you be? The pictures are delightful; give a feel for the event.
Annie- I am an un-grouchy reader and am glad that you provide something for everyone in these pictures!