 | | | Mariatchi music at last years festival Photo Andy Scheck
| | | | | | Moraga's Hacienda Foundation invites the community to come and enjoy the beautiful Hacienda de las Flores and its grounds for a family celebration of Cinco de Mayo- loosely based on the celebration of the Mexican military victory of la Batalla de Puebla, around here the 5th of May brings a celebration of California's Hispanic heritage.
This year, in addition to the various food and live entertainment that residents have learned to expect at this event, a piece of local history will be presented by the Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe (FJMA). Actually located just across the border in Orinda, the Adobe is the original home of Joaquin Moraga, to whom much of the land that comprises Lamorinda was granted by the Mexican government in the 1800s. The presentation about the historic structure, which is now at the center of a development battle and was recently struck by vandals, will emphasize its historical significance.
"FJMA will participate in the 'Cinco de Mayo Fiesta' to build community awareness of the Moraga Adobe," said FJMA president Kent Long. "We will have an information booth dedicated to the Adobe plus various fun, kid-oriented activities." FJMA has secured the presence of the National Park Service, who will come with informational displays about the de Anza exhibition and reproductions of historic Presidio uniforms that kids can dress-up in.
The Adobe was built by Moraga in 1841, out of clay, water and straw bricks, on the land known as Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados. The land grant included parts of Orinda and Lafayette and the communities of Canyon, Redwood, Rheem, and Moraga.
The subject of much public debate, the Adobe today is located on a 20-acre private property in Orinda, close to the Moraga border, that successive owners have tried to develop. The current owner is working with the Orinda Planning Department on a 13-home project that would renovate the Adobe for use as a homeowner club house.
Sadly, the Adobe made news recently for another reason when residents alerted FJMA that the building had been vandalized. When Long arrived at the site he found broken windows, open doors and lots of graffiti. The historical plaques were missing. But what he found most disturbing was a section of wall where someone had been digging at the old adobe bricks.
The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta will be held on Sunday, May 6, 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive in Moraga. For more information about the event go to www.haciendafoundation.org, and to learn more about the Joaquin Moraga Adobe visit moragaadobe.org.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA