Press

February 2, 2006
OLD TOWN FIESTA PARTNERS RICH IN HISTORY
Wells Fargo and the Barona Band of Mission Indians Join as Event Title and Presenting Sponsor to help fund Historic Old Town Community Foundation’s Education Program

(SAN DIEGO, CA) February 2, 2006 – The Historic Old Town Community Foundation (HOTCF) today announced the Wells Fargo Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo Presented by Barona will be May 6 and 7, 2006. The event will run Saturday from 12:00noon until 10:00pm and Sunday from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Last year, more than 200,000 people enjoyed the event in Old Town.

The event covers the Old Town State Historic Park (State Park) and continues south along San Diego Avenue.  The State Park is home to the Wells Fargo Museum and is an original territory of the Mission Indians. 

 “Since 1857 we have had a presence in San Diego so this partnership makes sense for us,” states Chuck Lemoine, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo.  “We have been the title sponsor of this event since 2003 and each year we find new ways to share the history of our company with the people we meet at the Old Town fiesta.”

New this year, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has committed $ 40,000.00 to participate as the presenting sponsor of the fiesta.  In addition to sponsorship, both Wells Fargo and Barona have allocated an extra $5,000.00 to support the HOTCF education program.  “We couldn’t be any happier that Wells Fargo and Barona have partnered with us,” states Lehn Goetz, president  HOTCF and owner Café Coyote.  “This year’s event will feature the kind of historical interest our event attendees look for and our education fund gets a boost too.”

The education funds will support two new classroom art installations at the Old Town Fourth Grade Program, a partner of HOTCF. 

 “Education is a key component of our community outreach program and we can make a difference here, this is an important partnership,” states Rhonda Welch-Scalco chairwoman Barona Band of Mission Indians.

The Wells Fargo Old Town Fiesta Presented by Barona is the west coast’s premiere celebration of arts and culture and the signature event of Old Town, the Birthplace of San Diego and San Diego’s number one tourist destination. Once the home of the Mission Indians, Old Town San Diego was later settled by Spanish Explorers and Missionaries, Mexican Rancheros, American Westward Pioneers and Victorian peoples; each left their imprint on the Old Town you visit today.  These diverse peoples and cultures are today reflected in Old Town’s museums, heritage sites, historical places, restaurants and retail shops.

In addition to its financial support, Wells Fargo will provide free stagecoach rides for event attendees on the west side of the event venue.  Riders can experience the Old West and experiences of those travelers from the 1850’s when overland stagecoach travel crossed the United States from coast to coast.  The stagecoach is an authentic piece of American history. Along with the stagecoach experience, the Wells Fargo museum which rests on the west side of the Old Town State Historic Park (State Park) will be open to event attendees throughout the weekend.

In the State Park along the south end of the plaza, the Barona Tribe will contribute a unique cultural element to the fiesta with My Ancestor’s Village, the re-creation of a traditional Native American village. This tribute to the local Tribes and the important role they have played in San Diego’s history will bring to life the food, culture and lifestyle that is unique to Barona and other Indians indigenous to the region. 

The village area will feature a traditional California Indian ‘ewaa or house.  The ‘ewaa provided shelter from rain and winds and provided a safe place for gathering with the family.  As a focal point of the village, Barona will recreate a row of ramadas, open-air shaded structures, built of posts and branches.  Ramadas were traditionally built during local Tribal festivals and were the center of family activity and celebration.  Under the cover of the ramadas, the Barona Museum will offer fun educational activities for visiting children, including rock and gourd painting.

The event also features music, food, handcrafts and Southern California’s only reenactment of the 1862 Battle of Puebla. The weekend of activities kicks off on Saturday at noon with a traditional Mercado for shoppers and diners, live music and colorful entertainment performed at eight different venues throughout the event.  From the food to the fun, it is always a Fiesta in Old Town!