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Beginning in spring through October, Basque clubs in the US take advantage of the good weather to host their festivals and annual get-togethers outside.  They are full blown euskal jaiak, as you may see in many towns in the Basque Country, although with their special Basque-American touch.  Following is a photo gallery from celebrations in New England and San Francisco. 

Donostia-San Sebastian.   The New England Basque club held its traditional Txitxiburduntzi, on May 14, the club’s outdoor festival of the East Coast club.  The event took place at Riki Lasa’s farm in Connecticut.  The day’s program included a BBQ (Txitxiburduntzi), Basque music and an exhibition of rural sports including aizkolaris, harrijasotzailes and a txinga contest.

The club’s aizkolaris competed against other professional choppers and this summer they will show their skill in Washington DC as part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.  In addition, the club also raffled bottles of cider, made last October at Sagardo Eguna.

San Francisco Basque Club's picnic in Petaluma

The Basque community in San Francisco gathered at the Petaluma Fair Grounds on June 5, to celebrate its annual Basque picnic.  As is tradition, the festival included entertainment by the Klika and Basque dance groups, as well as a delicious BBQ.