Julian Zabalbeascoa. As it so happens, Levin is correct: the Basque language is a map leading to a treasure. So for those not fluent in Basque, allow me to decode the map for you. The X that marks the spot will be right over the Los Banos Fairgrounds on May 17 and the treasure is the 51st Annual Los Banos Basque Club Picnic.
There is enough gold for everyone. It will be in the form of Basque music and dancing by the Los Banos and San Francisco Basque Club dance groups and a lunch that includes lamb chops, lamb stew, beans, salad, French bread, and cheese. We will also have aizkolaris going toe-to-toe in the wood-chopping contest and a weight-carrying competition open to the public. The bar will be slinging drinks until the last fiesta reveler calls it a night, and in the evening chorizo sandwiches will be for sale while supplies last, as will be the lamb sandwiches that are always so popular at the Merced County Spring Fair.
The Basque country is made up of seven regions that straddle the border between France and Spain. Basque people speak variations of a language called Euskara, which is unrelated to any other tongue in the world. Many residents of Basque country immigrated to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s to become agricultural workers.
Basque Mass will begin at 10 a.m. and will be performed in O’Banion Building. Admission to the picnic is free. Lunch tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12 and can be purchased at the gate. Lunch will be served from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
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