Cultural Gatherings

CULTURAL GATHERINGS

BY Paloma Ramirez

Coming from a Mexican household, we deeply value connection, celebration, and hanging out with others. We love to dance, eat, and surround ourselves with others while making memories. What better way to do so than by sharing it with your community as well. My mom and I especially love putting our boots on and finding thrills on the dance floor. San José hosts a variety of cultural celebrations that honor Mexican culture. Events like these are enjoyable.  

Starting with the food trucks with all my favorite foods, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and MORE! With a side of their fresh agua frescas, but horchata is my go-to. Let’s not forget the desserts: raspados, fruit with chili, elotes, and churros. Everything is absolutely delicious. Each tasty bite represents a piece of tradition.  

Moving on to the entertainment, we are greeted by the powerful sound of cultural music like Banda or Mariachi, and then the DJ takes over the dance floor with Cumbias that invite everyone to join in, spinning around and dancing. We might have vendors selling handmade accessories or pop-up booths that showcase their creativity. I would never resist checking them out and supporting their business. 

It’s so fun to socialize with other people who share the same energy. Everyone is vibrant and enjoying their time. Little kids run around; it smells delicious from the food, and we are socializing. We get to bring back traditions from the past, like bailes folklóricos, breaking piñatas, and lucha libre. Activities like these keep celebrations alive. What truly makes these experiences even better is attending with my mom, who makes them special. Bonding with her means the world to me, and what better way to spend a day than with people and things we love! I’m grateful to live in a city that takes pride in embracing cultural gatherings.