It’s that time of year again, time for Reedley’s biggest event of the year-the Reedley Fiesta! Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce Erik Valencia took a moment out of his preparations to chat with us about this year’s event, which takes place on October 10-12.
This year the Reedley Fiesta has a new mascot, a frog named Ribberto. This week KRL took some time to get to know him.
Before wheat, there were the Yokuts people who lived along the river. They would build rafts to float to the great Tulare Lake during flood time, to fish and hunt for geese and ducks in preparation for the winter. They lived off the land and were good caretakers of the environment.
I can't keep writing how great those Fiesta's of a half century ago were when every year there are fewer around to remember them. Thinking of friends gone by, a conversation came to mind between myself and the late Dennis Olson about the pride we both had when we watched our Reedley High "Pirate" Band march down Colorado Boulevard during the Pasadena Rose Parade in 2000. So, I thought to myself, "Self, what a better tribute to the Fiesta than to drop by and see Mr. Burl Walter Jr. and chronicle the story that led him to Reedley."
I would like to think that Art Tabler would have thrown Reedley’s first Fiesta in my honor since I moved to Reedley and he came up with the Fiesta idea the same year: 1947. He did feel our tight-knit little community had reason to celebrate, but because our diverse ethnic population had given their lives and support to protecting our country during World War II and local young men who had fought in Europe, North Africa, and Asia were just beginning to return home, also the local farmers who grew crops for the war effort had completed harvest - what better time for a community celebration?
Before going to bed, I spent a long time in prayer, knowing I’d need all the strength and wisdom I could get for the next day.
After a restless night, I awoke Sunday morning feeling like I had a plane full of luggage under my eyes. I showered and got dressed for church, then peddled on over.
Chief Harmon didn’t waste any time in taking down Chuck’s statement after we arrived. He wasn’t sure what could be done with the information, but he could at least use it to start building some sort of case. I suggested he call Paul Unruh to see if he could help them figure out how they could get a group together to sue the Club leaders for discrimination if nothing else.
One of the most successful events held by the Reedley Downtown Association, the Electric Farm Equipment Parade, was the brain child of local auctioneer Ed Croissant. Sometime in the fall of 2000, Ed was talking with daughter Daniele, owner of the former Coffee and Candy Shop, about ways to promote Reedley’s downtown for the upcoming holidays.
With a determined look on his face, Miguel set out to find Eddie. He didn’t have to go far because Eddie strolled through the door as we entered the front of the shop.
“Sit,” barked Miguel as he pointed to a table near us. He hadn’t asked me to leave, so I took a seat, too. Eddie looked confused.
After a restless night I got up and headed for Main Street to meet Stephen, with an hour to spare before the police arrived at the Happy Mouth. After chaining my bike at the bike rack outside, I found my old friend at our usual booth reading this week’s Kingsburg News. I slid into the seat across from him and couldn’t help feeling we’d gone full circle
