A new festival came to Canby this weekend. El Grito Oregon was at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds Sept. 15 and 16, showcasing authentic Mexican food and drink, culture, music, history and entertainment.
The name comes from the Spanish for “the scream” of joy and celebration that heralded Mexico’s 1810 independence from Spain. The event in Canby included many culturally authentic performances, such as mariachi music and Aztec dancers, as well as piñatas, futbol (soccer) tournaments, Lotería (a game similar to Bingo) and a Jaripeo, a distinctly Mexican form of rodeo.
The event also had all the standard carnival fare, for those who needed just one more plate of fried Oreos or one last ride on a Ferris wheel.
“I took my family to this and we loved it!” local mom Katie May Matthews said. “I’m biracial and didn’t get to learn about my Hispanic roots so it was nice to have this experience! My other big reason for going is my daughter just started in the dual immersion program, so I want her to learn about the culture, too, not just the language.”
Check out our Facebook page or Instagram for more of our photos and videos from El Grito. And if organizers are looking for any feedback, moving the beer and tequila tent next to the free kids area might allow certain local podcasters with small children to enjoy this event even more.