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A few days ago summer began in the northern hemisphere and with that a classic Basque festival in the US that always takes place the first weekend of July: the National Basque Festival in Elko. The event will celebrate its 54th edition this year and will take place June 30-July 2nd.  This year all events will take place at the Elko Euzkaldunak’s clubhouse.

Elko, NV.   “Elko Jaietan,” in Basque is the slogan that accompanies the Basque festival every year.  The Basque ingredient and the Basque influence in this community are notable, not just by the number of Basques in the community, but also by the Basque businesses and restaurants.  During the festival it is also evident by the number local and visiting Basques, as well as local non-Basques and several tourists who take part in the events.

From June 30-July 2

The festivities will begin with a “kick-off” or “Txupinazua” that will take place Friday at 6pm at the Euskal Etxea.  The Basque club in Elko has a large property that includes a large green space, where a sheepherder’s oven was built some years ago, saved and restored from the surrounding mountains.  The majority of the events will take place at the Basque club.  On Friday there will be dance performances and herri kirolak with aizkolaris and harrijasotzailes, there will also be booths and food and drink.  That night, the city will have its 4th of July fireworks display with a privileged view from the clubhouse.

On Saturday, the day will begin with a 5K run.  This will be followed at 11am by a parade through the streets of the city that will end at the Fairgrounds.  Leading this year’s parade will be Grand Marshals Alfonso and Mary Ygoa, a well-known couple in town, he born in the Basque Country and she was born in Nevada, daughter of Basques.  The events will then move back to the clubhouse, near the fairgrounds, where there will be more dancing, herri kirolak, food and drink, soka-tira…Until 9pm when the public dance will begin with live music.

[Alfonso and Mary Ygoa will be this year’s Grand Marshals of the parade. Zorionak! (photo EuskalKultura.com)]
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[Poster and program for the 54th National Basque Festival in Elko, Nevada (photo EuskalKultura.com)

Sunday’s events include mass at 11am, celebrated by Aita Antton Egiguren.  After mass, there will be a sheepherder’s bread raffle, and the picnic will continue with a BBQ lunch, music and various performances, and competitions, including a jota-fandango contest and an irrintzi contest.