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Local Basque Association, Euskal Lagunak, holds 60th annual picnic
Mountain Homes Annual Basque Picnic is right around the corner. For any of our readers that are new to the community, this is an event to experience. Reaching out to the Association this year and in celebration of their 60th year, we asked for a piece of history to share. The following was submitted by the group and the Mountain Home News wanted to share a piece of their proud history. Euskal Lagunak Inc. is a nonprofit organization formed to serve the Basque people of Elmore County and surrounding areas in the promotion and prosperity of Basque Heritage, culture, and history while also sharing this vision with the greater community.
On many a past Saturday in early August, you may have heard accordion music bouncing off of the historic Fronton wall, smelled the aroma of lamb and chorizo in the air, and seen pick-ups lined around the Basque park on the west side of the city and wondered what was going on. To many Mountain Home residents, this scene is very familiar. The local Basque Association, Euskal Lagunak, has been holding their Basque Picnic in local parks since 1960. Stemming from the traditional festival season in the Basque region of what is now Spain and France, towns in the American West have taken to holding a day of festivities for both members of their club and community to enjoy. The current members of Euskal Lagunak and its board share the same names of the founders from 60 years ago and the goals have remained the same-to promote Basque culture in our community and support local programs, especially youth programming.