Reporter  

People gathered at CSU Bakersfield’s Alumni Park on Thursday, Nov. 12 to celebrate and enjoy the 16th annual La Gran Posada which was hosted by Delta Zeta Tau.

Celebrating La Gran Posada is a Hispanic tradition performed around Christmas time. Helia Corral is a professor in the languages department.

Corral attended La Gran Posada as a guest speaker and Corral explained that the purpose of La Gran Posada event is to re-enact Mary and Joseph searching for lodging in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus Christ.

La Gran Posada was celebrated with dinner, a procession, Folklorico dancing, and music from the Mariachi band “Grupo La Plaza.”

“Let our tradition live,” said communications major Erik Perez.

Perez is a member of Delta Zeta Tau and was this year’s coordinator for the event. He said that they are a Latin-based fraternity and they wished to let students truly know what the purpose and history was of the posada.

He explained that they received help from Associated Students Inc., Metra, Nu Phi Chi, Newman Club, Saint Augustine Church and many other organizations.

He and his brothers are very grateful for the help that they received in creating a successful event that was representative of their Latin roots.

“It’s a good idea to spread the culture,” said Melissa Lovera. She attended the Posada with friends. She said that she enjoyed the music and had a fun time.

She is of Hispanic descent and enjoyed the prospect of sharing her culture with CSUB students. It reminded her of the Posadas that she attended as a kid.

“It was a beautiful experience. Everyone came out and supported us and the Posada,” said Delta Zeta Tau member and double major Octavio Martinez.

He was really happy with the turn out and explained that their fraternity has plans to keep expanding the Posada in years to come.

This year they had a Mariachi that helped liven up the festivities. This was a great feat according to Martinez, because they didn’t have that previously.

Martinez said that their fraternity had to make a lot of phone calls and put in a lot of effort to make it successful and is happy that everyone enjoyed themselves.