Pasadena festivals Sarturday

Pasadena residents can get their U.S. Census questions answered while attending either of two fun-filled community festivals Saturday, March 27.

The free family fairs are from noon to 3 p.m. at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., and 3 to 7 p.m. at Villa-Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St.

The events are sponsored by Pasadena’s Census Complete Count Committee, an organization of community leaders and city of Pasadena officials dedicated to helping the U.S. Census Bureau collect accurate population data for use over the next 10 years.

Residents who bring their completed Census questionnaires or get assistance in completing them will be eligible for free gifts at either event.

The celebration at Robinson Park will feature children’s activities including face painting and bounce house, live entertainment including Sue B. Dancers and D.J. by Eveready Entertainment, hot dogs grilled by Pasadena Police Department traffic officers, a big red fire engine with Pasadena firefighters, Lemonade Brigade, community resources and specialists from the 2010 Census who will help people fill our their Census forms.

The celebration at Villa-Parke Community Center will feature children’s activities, entertainment including Los Jornaleros del Norte, Jornaleros Theater Group and Ballet Folklorica Nahuatzen, hot dogs grilled by Pasadena Firefighters Local 809, community resources and volunteers who will help people complete their Census questionnaires.

“We will talk about the critical role of the Census in determining state and local eligibility for funds, and answer any questions the public has about filling out the questionnaire,” said Celestine Walker-McFearn, NATHA leader.

“The Census helps ensure that our local government receives adequate funding to provide necessary services for our community and that we are represented at all levels of government,” said Vannia De La Cuba, field representative to Pasadena Vice Mayor Victor Gordo.

The festivals are part of weeklong activities to encourage full participation in completing the Census form by April 1. Outreach is also targeted for schools, senior housing, businesses, restaurants and places of worship. Questionnaire Assistance Centers are also open to provide Census services at Pasadena public libraries and community centers.

Additional sponsors are NDLON, IDEPSCA, Latino Heritage, Pasadena Latino Forum, Pasadena Mexican American History Association, California Senator Carol Liu, California Assemblyman Anthony Portantino; the offices of Vice Mayor Victor Gordo, City Councilman Chris Holden and City Councilwoman Jacque Robinson, Neighborhood Connections, King Ranch Market, South Coast Air Quality Management District, NATHA, UJIMA-PCC, Sarges Community Base Inc., Women in Action, Links Inc., PUSD PTA, NAACP and Robinson Park Center.

For more information about the event at Robinson Park call (626) 794-5889; for the event at Villa-Parke Center call (626) 744-7295.




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