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The “Dairyman Tour” is a classic car race organized annually outside of Buenos Aires by the General Las Heras Basque Club, with a circuit that recalls the routes that the Basque dairymen followed at the beginning of last century. This time, after the awards ceremony, Basque club members went to the Pato Field in Gral. Las Heras, where the final of the “Las Heras Capital Nacional del Pato,” was played, and to unveil a plaque in honor of the national sport. Pato is similar to Polo, however it was first played with a live duck in a bag, thus its name in Spanish.

General Las Heras, Argentina.   On Sunday, November 20th, the Zazpirak Bat Basque Club in Gral. Las Heras held another edition of the “Dairyman Tour,” a classic car race through the rural roads of Cañuelas, General Las Heras, and Lobos where Basques in the area used to sell the milk produced in their dairies.

The race began at 9:30am in Cañuelas and finished at noon in Gral. Las Heras, where the racers were welcomed to lunch at the facilities prepared by Euskal Etxea.  Once everyone was gathered, and before the “On egin,” (bon appetit) dantzaris from Denak Bat in Cañuelas danced an Aurresku to the races and officials who were present, including the local mayor, Javier Osuna, the national deputy Graciela Camaño, and national deputy, Carlos Selva.  Awards were presented following lunch.

Country life Traditions

One of the main characteristics of this Basque club is its work to recuperate traditions, especially those that have something to do with country life.  That is why, and to put a finishing touch on the day, after lunch the group of representatives from Zazpirak Bat went to the Pato Field in Gral. Las Heras, where the final of the “Las Heras Capital Nacional del Pato” was played between the local team “Los Mochitos,” and the “Los Baguales Agropharma” from Roque Pérez.

Invited by the club, Raúl Ithurburu and Alejandro Yaven, both of Basque origin and representatives of the glorious era of the local field, joined a delegation from Zazpirak Bat to unveil a commemorative plaque with the following inscription: “The Zazpirak Bat Basque Club in General Las Heras, along with the entire community is proud of the distinction to Pato, a sport that the Basques passionately embraced, “Beti Aurrera,” (always ahead), November 20, 2016.”  The audience accompanied the act with warm applause.

Basque Week in Las Heras

Since its foundation, the General Las Heras Zazpirak Bat Basque Club has ended the year with a Basque Culture Week, where the main activities are rural sports, along with good food, and music with dantzaris.  The 2016 Festival Program begins today and runs through Sunday with the traditional farewell lunch.

PROGRAM

-Tuesday, November 29, 6pm: Paleta Championship.  The tournament will take place at the “Los Robles,” Cultural and Sports Center.  It will be played on a 30 meter Trinquet with a rubber ball.

-Thursday, December 1, 9pm: Mus Tournament at the Sportsmen Club. Basque Club headquarters

-Saturday, December 3, 4:20pm: Skeet shooting competition with rifles of various calibers.  This will take place at the Echegaray Metallurgies.  There will be a Basque bar service

-Sunday, December 4, 11am: Herri Kirolak (Basque rural sports).  Trunk chopping competition (Aizkora or Aizkol Jokoa), trunk cutting with a saw (Trontza) and Sokatira. These activities will take place on Lozano Street in front of the clubhouse.  Lunch will be served at 2pm.  This lunch is to bid farewell to 2016.  Trophies will be presented to the various winners, and there will be Basque dancing and a “bota toss.”  For more information email:  zazpirakbat.lh@gmail.com.