The Culture and Cuisine Summer Musical Series will continue at Faye Sterling Park on Port Lavaca’s Main Street on Saturday, August 18. Robert Ojeda & Bronze with the Tejan Cantantes Music Series and invited guest artists will perform from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. Come early; stroll through downtown and visit the shops and then come and relax and enjoy some great entertainment at the park. Bring your lawn chairs for a relaxing evening of fun and entertainment.
The last (July 21) Music Series event was awesome! Not only did the weather cooperate with us by clearing up after the many previous thunderstorms, there were no mosquitoes and the breeze off the bay circulated through downtown and Faye Sterling Park to the enjoyment of many.
We had people that stepped up to help us make the event happen. The City of Port Lavaca was able to cut the grass thanks to Joe Sam Sylva and Antonio Medellin of Sylva Construction Co, helping drain the large water puddles and swept the alleyway behind Faye Sterling Park. Thanks to Commissioners Neil Fritsch and Roger Galvan for helping spray for mosquitoes prior to the event.
The foot, motorcycle, and vehicular traffic in down town Port Lavaca was very active for this unique and laid back town with its diversified cultures.
We had approximately 50 motorcycles line the street side by side starting at the corner in front of Texas Traditions Restaurant continuing that entire block. The Victoria motorcycle group was on a poker run and stopped to enjoy Port Lavaca’s hospitality. However, we were the ones that were able to enjoy such magnificent machines. Then across the street we had the Classic and Antique cars displayed. It was unique: On one side of the street we had the latest in cycles and across, the great display of automobiles. Some of the cars displayed were: Jodie Brett, of Port Lavaca – 1931 Model A – 4 door Sedan; Gary East, Victoria, TX, 1964 Pontiac Catalina; Mr., & Mrs. A. E. Kirby, Blessing, TX; 1950 Studebaker; Mr. & Mrs. Richard Ross, Victoria, TX; 1979 Corvette; Mr. & Mrs. Joe Palladino, Victoria, TX ; Mr. & Mrs. Ed Arnold, Jr. and Sr. Port Lavaca, 1956 T Bird; Lupe Martinez, Victoria TX., 1958 Impala; Eusebio Cruz “Wolfman” Victoria TX., 1957 Belair, members of the Wild Bunch Hot Rod Club founded in 1982.; and Hodie Garcia, Victoria, TX, 1954 Ford P U.
Also displayed were bicycles, from vintage era to current models. There was one red tricycle with fender skirts. Boy, did that bring back memories of my first tricycle. These “bicycles” were displayed by Julian Perez, Jr., along with his entire family. These Calhoun County residents take great pride as a family for the bikes that have been reconstructed, painted, and maintained, as shown by the many trophies won and displayed by Mr. Perez and his children.
We had approximately about 225 people in the park and sitting on lawn chairs along the side walks of downtown Port Lavaca, then about another 50 or so walking the streets looking at the displays, shopping in the various stores and enjoying the food from the restaurants downtown. Looking around into the crowd we saw people from different ethnic groups; ages varied from very young, teenagers, adults to the Senior-Senior Citizens, all sharing and expressing relaxed enjoyment.
The 2nd Series of Tejano Music not only included Tejano music, but some of the “oldies and goodies” by Ernest Tubb, Johnny Cash and other various artists performed by Robert Ojeda, Ms. Carla Jones and Freddy Serna vocalists and a couple of spectators that stepped up to the mike. Joining in the musical performance were Alfredo Serna on accordion; Robert Ojeda on guitar; Walter Spiller, bass guitar; Jesse Orta, key board and Frankie Gonzalez on percussion. The crowds did not disperse until the last musical rendition was played. Even then, people continued to sit and enjoy the atmosphere with their families or neighbors.
Cold drinks, watermelon cups, hot dogs were available for purchase. The events have been non- alcoholic.
Did you know? Calhoun County has no less than 15 cultures, and 15 different languages. For information about our Culture and Cuisine Committee, call Rose Pena at 361-652-0410 or Kathy Perez at 361-549-7044.
Classic Cars at the July 21 Music Series
