Sunday's annual Basque festival 'a great success'

The community gathered Sunday at Fuji Park to celebrate part of the region's heritage during the 13th annual Basque Festival, a benefit for St. Teresa of Avila's youth ministries and school scholarships.

"Fourteen years ago, Father Jerry (Hanley, now retired) was talking to a friend of mine, John Borda, about doing a fundraiser" for the school, said Charlie Abowd, owner of Adele's Restaurant. "John mentioned this to me, so I gave him an idea Karen and I had talked about many times - a festival to honor the Basque contributions and influence in Northern Nevada."

This annual event has grown each year and includes an array of children's activities and Basque cultural traditions, including dance, wood chopping skills and sheepherding demonstrations.

But its crowning glory may well be the food. A kitchen crew lead by Abowd and Jerry Massad, owner of the Cracker Box, and including participation from many others, served up lamb stew and chops, chicken, beans, salad, bread and more. Chorizo and picon punch, Basque staples, were also available.

"We don't have solid (financials) yet, but we served somewhere around 1,500 plates and more than 500 hamburgers and hotdogs," said Jim Cavilia, event chairman. "There were more people this year than last, so I would say it was a great success."

"I love coming here for not only the food, but the culture and the cookbooks," said Diane Beauchamp, who was visiting family from Walnut Creek, Calif.

Esmeralda Mora of Carson City is a school parent who enjoys the fellowship of the event.

"This is an important gathering of family and this is our church family," Mora said. "We have been coming to this the last five years. Today, I bought my bread first because by the time I went to do that last year, it was gone."

John Asquaga donates the traditional Basque bread each year, one of the event's fastest sellers. All the food is donated, and leftovers are sent to Friends in Service Helping to feed those in need, Cavilia said.

"It's the event that keeps on giving," he said.

Even the children enjoy a good time, with a bounce house and bungee trampoline, face painting and games.

"I've been coming here since I started kindergarten at St. Teresa's," said Jill Beglin, 9. "I really like the dancing and I get to meet my friends."

For many, attending the Basque Festival has become part of their family tradition, marking the beginning of fall each year, which is the case for Mike Riggs, owner of Monarch Direct in Carson City.

"My family has always supported St. Teresa's ... my mother retired as the school administrative assistant in 2000," he said. "The Basque is a great nationality ... so this year I am carrying on the tradition and I brought a friend so that he could learn about the heritage, as well."

"This is what living in towns like Carson City is all about," Abowd said. "Fun, family and friends, and it is our way to give back to the community and the church and in the process honor our Basque heritage."