Upcoming Basque summer picnics
50th Annual Mountain Home Basque Picnic at Mountain Home Basque Park
People from Mountain Home and surrounding communities will relive the traditions, culture and language of the Basque people during an annual festival scheduled for Aug. 11.
The 52nd Annual Basque Picnic will begin that afternoon at the pelota, or outdoor racquetball court, in the city’s Basque Park next to the Bengeochea Hotel.
Tentative schedule of events
1:00 PM: Mass in the fronton with Biotzetik Choir
2:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Basque food a la carte
5:00 PM -7:30PM: Youth/Adult Games
8:00 PM: Oinkari Basque Dancers
9:00 PM – Midnight Live Music-Amuma Says No
There will be two major changes to the picnic this year. The first change is the picnic will start off with a mass in the fronton honoring Saint Valentín de Berriochoa. Saint Valentín was a Dominican Missionary Bishop in Indochina, who was martyred in 1861. Bishop Valentín was beatified by Pope Pius X in 1906, and later canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988. He was declared the Second Patron Saint of Bilbao, after Saint Ignatius of Loyola, on August 18, 1989.
The second change is the food will be served a la carte from 2PM until 8PM. There will still be delicious lamb, rice, and beans, but they will now be offered separately. Kroketas will be added to the menu and of course chorizos will be offered all day.
For more information, email the club at euskal.lagunak.mh@gmail.com.
Seattle Euskal Etxea Summer Picnic at Yakima Sportsman State Park
Noon – Picnic starts
1:30 – Mus starts, $30 per team
7:30 – Picnic ends
We will have many children’s games and children athletic events during the picnic, so children are not only welcome but are encouraged to attend. The picnic price includes lamb, chorizos, salad, and wine/beer. Feel free to bring a desert, tortilla, or any other appetizer.
Directions: From I-82, take Exit 34, go east (Highway 24 towards Moxee), turn left on the first road after crossing the Yakima River (Keys Road), go North 1 mile. The park entrance is approx. 8/10 of a mile on the left.
For more information, visit the Seattle Euskal Etxea’s website at www.seattleeuskal.org.
New Mexico Euskal Etxea Summer Picnic at Santo Bueno Ranch in Peña Blanca
Other Basque festivals
Aug 11 (Sat): Gardnerville, NV festival
Aug 18 (Sat): Battle Mountain, NV festival and Buffalo, WY festival
Aug 19 (Sat): Rock Springs, WY festival
Aug 25 (Sat): Rhode Island festival
Aug 26 (Sun): San Francisco BCC annual Euskal Etxeko Jaialdia
Sept 1-2: Chino, CA Festival
Sept 9 (Sun): Marin-Sonoma, CA festival
For additional information, visit NABO’s website here.
