Shafter Cinco de Mayo Committee

The Shafter Cinco de Mayo Committee recently received the Community Involvement Award from the Kern Council of Governments (KernCOG). At their annual awards banquet, KernCOG presented the members of the committee for their outstanding contributions to the Shafter community. On Thursday, March 7, the committee received a plaque honoring the group for their achievements. The event took place at the Seven Oaks Country Club in Bakersfield.

Established in 1991, the Shafter Cinco de Mayo Festival began with Albert “Roy” Root and Deanna Rodriguez-Root. Their mission was to bring the community of Shafter together through cultural celebration and commemorate the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

The Cinco de Mayo committee works very hard to raise the required funds to finance the event every year. Rodriguez-Root said, “Our businesses and individuals have graciously sponsored the festival over the years, which has allowed the event to deliver a quality event.”

The committee has also been able to award scholarships to deserving students of Shafter High School, as well as helping the non-profit youth organizations in the community.

Sixteen years later, Albert passed away. He was very well-known in the Shafter community, and gave much of his time volunteering with several different organizations. After his passing,  Deanna continues the festival in his memory.