Relive history and join in on all the fun and the free cultural celebration that is the annual Cabrillo Festival to take place Saturday, Oct. 1 with events at Naval Base Point Loma, at the south end of Rosecrans Street.
The highlight of the Cabrillo Festival is the re-enactment of 16th century explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s landing on the shores of San Diego Bay at Ballast Point on Sept. 28, 1542.
Join “Cabrillo,” his soldiers and a priest as they sail into the bay on the San Salvador, and once again claim the land for Spain. The re-enactment begins at 1 p.m.
Historic re-enactors provide a look into the daily life of the 16th century soldiers and sailors who explored New Spain with Cabrillo, Rononao and DeSoto.
The Cabrillo Festival is an event for the entire family, with educational activities, cultural demonstrations and exciting folkloric performances. Brightly colored clothing and dramatic music and dancing bring to life the traditions of the Native American, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish cultures that are part of the Age of Exploration.
“The Cabrillo Festival is the oldest event of its kind (that we know of),” said Patty Camacho,” festival president, noting this is the event’s 53rd year. “The festival commemorates the first European, Juan Rodrigues Cabrillo, to land on the West Coast of the United States of America. It is a time to embrace, bring awareness and expand the synergies of the rich cultural traditions of the Kumeyaay, Mexican, Spanish and Portuguese.”
The festival on Saturday, Oct. 1 is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free of charge. The events for the day will also include cultural performances and traditional foods. There will be Kumeyaay basket-making, knot-tying and a 16th-century Spanish soldiers living history encampment.
On 27 June 1542, Cabrillo set out from Navidad with three ships: the 200-ton galleon and flagship San Salvador, the smaller La Victoria, and the lateen-rigged, 26-oared “fragata” or “bergantin” San Miguel. On Sept. 28, he landed in what is now San Diego Bay and named it San Miguel. About a week later, he reached Santa Catalina Island, which he named San Salvador, after his flagship.
On Nov. 13, Cabrillo’s ship sighted and named Cabo de Pinos (possibly Point Reyes), but missed the entrance to San Francisco Bay, a lapse that mariners would repeat for the next two centuries and more. The expedition reached as far north as the Russian River before autumn storms forced them to turn back. Coming back down the coast, Cabrillo entered Monterey Bay, naming it Bahia de los Pinos.
On Nov. 23, 1542, the little fleet arrived back in San Salvador (Santa Catalina Island) to overwinter and make repairs. There, around Christmas Eve, Cabrillo stepped out of his boat and splintered his shin when he stumbled onto a jagged rock while trying to rescue some of his men from attacking Tongva warriors. The injury became infected and developed gangrene, and he died on Jan. 3, 1543 and was buried. A possible headstone was later found on San Miguel Island. His second-in-command brought the remainder of the party back to Navidad, where they arrived April 14, 1543.
Forget all that controversy about whether Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was actually Spanish or Portuguese – he sailed into San Diego Bay either way – and celebrate both cultures at Cabrillo Festival. For more information, visit www.cabrillofestival.org. Other events leading up to the Cabrillo Festival:
Friday, Sept. 30, 3:30 p.m.
Commemorative Ceremony and Wreath Laying honoring Cabrillo will be at the Cabrillo National Monument located at 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive. The keynote speaker will be a dignitary representing Portugal. Friday, Sept. 30, 5:30 p.m.
Cabrillo Discovery Evening Social at Naval Base Point Loma (Harbor View Room). Hosted by Naval Base Point Loma and Sponsored by Cabrillo Civic Club No. 16 of San Diego and Portuguese American Social and Civic Club. To purchase tickets, call 619-221-8084 or 619-701-5107. Must RSVP by Sept. 17 in order to be put on the list to enter the base for the event – no exceptions. Must have photo ID to enter the base. Saturday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cabrillo Festival at Naval Base Point Loma, south end of Rosecrans Street. Free admission. There will be music, dancing, children’s activities and foods of Native Americans, Mexico, Portugal and Spain. You will view a display of Kumeyaay hunting and fishing artifacts and visit a 16th Century Spanish soldiers living history encampment. Re-enactment of Cabrillo’s landing on Ballast Point begins at 1 p.m.