On Sunday, August 26, 826 Valencia celebrated 5 years of programming, student success, and volunteer dedication with the first annual 8/26 Day festival.
Students, volunteers, parents, and teachers bound books, made paper flowers, donned pirate hats and decorated eyepatches, climbed the rock wall, bounced in the moonbounce, paired up for relay races, and ate delicious homemade foods.
A rowdy pie-eating competition kicked off the festival and was followed by a spectacular juggling performance. Music from a live mariachi band filled the park while we passed a festive Sunday afternoon. We can't wait until next year.
Huge and dearest thanks to everyone that made it happen:
Abner Morales, Alicia Ortega, Amelia, Andrea Urmantia, Andrew Strickman, Andrew Roth, Angelica Rodriguez, Anna Ura, Annie Wyman, Antonio D'Souza, Avery Monsen, Barb Bersche, Belinda Man, Ben Fuchs, Beth Lisick, Bora Lee, Bo Yan Moran, Burt Meyer, Carmela Gomez, Cathy, Claire Powell, Colbert Dare, Dan McHale, David Brownell, Dylan Bartley, Eileen Hassi, Eli Horowitz, Elisa Balladeres, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Ellen Scarpaci, Emilie Coulson, Emily Colman, Eric Roth, Erica Lorraine, Erin Geld, Gabrielle Loft, Greg Larson, Gwendolyn Roberts, Henson Flye, Ingrid Keir, Jared Maliga, Jenny Bunshoft, Jenny Hay, Jenny Traig, Jon Sung, Jonathan Adams, Jonathan Sit, Jordan Bass, Juana Arnold, Julian Zalbalbeascoa, Julio Yerena, K.A. Harrison-Adcock, Kat, Katherine Kugay, Kyle Griffiths, Leticia V., Leia, Lidia Long, Liz Worthy, Manny Silva, Marcus Lee, Maria Martinez, Mark Biedelman, Marlys Baalman, Martha Perez, Maureen Evans, Mauricio Ponce, Maxime Stinnett, Maya Waldman, Melissa Powar, Meiko Arquillos, Mike Roman, Mike Farrah, Michael Capozzola, Michal Ettiger, Michelle Quint, Miriam Diaz, Molly Frank-Meltzer, Neeltje Konings, Nicole Gluckstern, Nínive Dohrmann, Osvaldo Marquez, Patty Dare, Paul Kanyuk, Paula Benton, Riley, Rita Tuz, Rory, Ruggero Pergher, Sally Scopa, Sam Strauss, Sara Marshall, Selena SD, Shannon Bryant, Shawna Kastin, Sona Avakian, Stephen Elliott, Toba Strauss, Veronika Arnold, Vicki Vaughn, Wendy Sanchez, and Yuri Hoshino.
Here's a snapshot taken by Meiko Arquillos of the volunteers at the kick-off of the festival:
Click on any of the images below to view entire album!
Photographer: Belinda Man
Photographer: Belinda Man
Photographer: Belinda Man
Photographer: Belinda Man
Photographer: Belinda Man
Photographer: Belinda Man
