The San Benito County Free Library was uncharacteristically loud with music and dancing as the Dia de los Niños (Day of the Children) celebration began on April 30. The library offered free books to children in attendance.
This was the first time the local library hosted the event, thanks to a grant from the California State Library, Librarian Elizabeth Brown said. According to the California State Library, the grant provides up to $500 in cost reimbursement for books and supplies for Dia de los Niños programs, and is offered to public libraries with the goal of connecting children to learning through reading.
The local Dia de los Niños event began with Folklorico Juvenil de Hollister that featured youth in colorful dresses performing several cultural songs of Mexico.The group topped off its performance by closing with “Un Poco Loco” (A Little Crazy) from the movie “Coco.”
Soon to be seven-year-old Belen Gonzales said her favorite part was watching the dancers perform. Gonzales is a dancer herself, and said she dances in her room and at school when she is not in her ballet class at San Benito Dance Academy.
Not to be outperformed, Mariachi Infantil Alma de Mexico followed with songs dedicated to mothers as Dia de las Madres (Mother’s Day) approaches. They also played popular songs like Ramon Ayala’s “Un rinconcito en el Cielo,” Vicente Fernandez’s “Hermoso Cariño” and Jose Luis Rodriguez’s “Moño Colorado,” which was later adopted by several artists.
It wasn’t dancing or the music that interested Ramses Peña the most. The seven-year-old said he was all about the churros given away after the performances. Aside from the treat, Peña said he enjoyed the dancing because “se ve muy divertido,” (It looks very fun).
Peña’s father, Florentino, said he brought his sons to the event because he felt it was important for the children to be around their culture so they understand their roots.
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