The oldest Basque club in the western U.S. is celebrating its 80th anniversary with three days of festivities July 3 – 5. The Southern California Basque Club celebration was planned to coincide with the summer convention of the North American Basque Organizations. The Oinkari Dancers of Boise, Idaho and Naroa Agirre, a female pilotari from the Basque Country, are among the special guests expected for the weekend.
“Our members are really proud to be part of the oldest club,” said Club vice president Nicole Idiart.
The weekend also marks the ending of Udaleku, the two-week Basque-American summer camp, which was held in Chino, Calif. this year. Basque American youngsters ages 10 – 15 stay with host families and participate in activities that teach them about the Basque culture. The camp is held in different Basque communities every year.
Friday’s festivities include handball games with Udaleku campers, a performance by the local dance group Gauden Bat and the Oinkari Dancers from Boise, plus a buffet dinner and music with a young Basque American band Izen Gabe, all at the Centro Basco restaurant and handball court. Centro Basco is taking reservations for the Friday dinner. See More Schedule Details
Centro Basco, 13432 Central Ave., Chino, Calif.
Saturday’s events include a mus tournament and handball games at Centro Basco, while at the Chino Fairgrounds, a sausage contest and a celebratory anniversary dinner will take place. The dinner will include a performance by the Udaleku campers and also a slide show of the club’s activities over the years.
The club will hold its annual festival on Sunday, also at the fairgrounds. A Catholic Mass with Father Antton Egiguren will start the event at 11 a.m. The mass will take place outdoors to easily segue into a performance by young dancers. Gateau Basque and irrintzi contests will also be held. A barbecue lamb and chilindron lunch will be served. The local Gauden Bat dancers, plus the Oinkari dancers will perform in the afternoon.
Lukainka sandwiches will be served in the early evening, and the Basque American band Amerikanuak, featuring Jean Flesher, will take place in evening.
Chino Fairgrounds, 5410 Edison Ave., Chino, Calif.
Handball Games:
All held at Centro Basco
Friday, July 3
3 p.m. Finals of Udaleku campers (4 games)
Saturday, July 4
3 p.m. Naroa Agirre (Professional Women’s Pilota Player) & Eñeko Irazoqui vs. Damian Kelly & Ibai Arroitajauregi
4 p.m. Mike Pereira & Mike Aphessetche vs. Jake Jaureguy & Jesse Kvarna
History of the Club
The Southern California Basque Club was initially named the Southern California Eskualdun Club, a name it kept until 1991.
More Stories about the Southern California Basque Club
It was started in 1948 by Father Charles Espelette, who was originally from the town of Aldude in the French Basque Country. He served at the old Mt. Carmel Church in Montebello. See our article on the Benedictine Friars. In addition to his church duties, he served the large Southern California Basque community that was widely scattered throughout the region on numerous ranches.
The early club picnics were held at Shell Park in the hills above Brea, Calif., a location that was developed and owned by Shell Oil for family picnics. The first picnic in 1947 attracted 730 people. They served a barbecue lamb lunch that cost $1.35.
“We have members who remember when the picnic used to be at Shell Park,” said Idiart.
Later, the picnic moved to the La Puente Handball Club for a few years, but then moved to the Chino Fairgrounds where it has been held for many years.
