The Fresno Basque Club has been existence for many decades. In the 1990s, they held the yearly Fresno Basque festival at their clubhouse. When the decision was made to sell that location in an industrial part of Fresno, Coombs Ranch by the river bend in Madera became the new location for several years. Nestled under old oak trees, it provided a Basque "country" atmosphere. On occasion when it rained, the Fresno Basque picnic was relocated to the Campos Bros. Farms in Caruthers, Calif. In the 2010s era, Rancho Vista Del Rio in Madera (Borba family) became an equally beautiful and quaint alternative. In this video, for the 2022 picnic, we find ourselves at the Campos Bros. Farms as it serves as the backdrop to this celebration. Due to the pandemic, the festival had been put on hold. Basques of the area and their close family and friends were happy to reunite after three years of "virtually" no Basque interaction. Father Antton Egiguren, our beloved Artzai Ona, celebrated mass as only he can while Mattin Etchamendy and Dominique "Kuku" Etchechury joined voices to fill the building with harmonious and uplifting Catholic hymns. Members of the Kern County Basque Club Klika from Bakersfield joined fellow musicians of Fresno. Their bugle and drum fanfare woke the crowd, jumpstarting the festivities and waking the spirits just before mass. Former Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa was in attendance and a tribute was said for the late Father Mike Lastiri as his mother Mayie was recognized at the start of the Catholic mass. Mark Etcheverry demonstrates how to make a Picon Punch. Antonio Campos introduces us to Kevin, his majestic black German Shepherd. Much gratitude and appreciation goes out to the Campos family. I had a nice conversation, as always, with Jeannine about life and the beauty of it all!
10 сен 2024
