By Miguel Hernández and Carlos García
The United States is particularly known for its cultural diversity, having become home to people from various ethnic groups. Oxnard is also known for its ethnic diversity and for being a city where more than 20 languages are spoken. The community gathers annually for the Multicultural Festival to celebrate “the richness of our historic and contemporary heritage,” said Mr. Luis A. McArthur, Mayor of the City of Oxnard. The festival took place this past Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Plaza Park.
This year marked the 29th celebration of the festival.
The Multicultural Festival featured a variety of ethnic dances. “We are all part of a different piece of the puzzle that ultimately comes together to make this country a better place to live,” said Martha López. The Multicultural Festival brought together people from different countries to share their traditions and information about their homelands. Some of the countries represented at the event included Brazil, Kenya, Jamaica, Mexico, Guatemala, and Bolivia, among others. Each country had a small booth staffed by natives of that country.
Mexico was strongly represented, including by a group of queens and candidates for queens of the Mexican patriotic festivities.
The Multicultural Festival gave the community the opportunity to come together and learn about various cultures and traditions. It gave young people the chance to showcase their talents and their unity as children of the world. As Rosa Gómez described it, Saturday was a day to celebrate all the cultures and customs that represent this country. It brings citizens together not only to celebrate the future as a culturally diverse country but also as a culturally diverse community. In 1995, the Multicultural Festival was introduced to the community by the Oxnard Community Relations Commission (CRC), a citizen advisory group whose mission is to promote understanding and respect among all racial, religious, and national groups in the city, and to discourage and prevent discriminatory practices. The festival is organized by the CRC, along with City of Oxnard staff and volunteers.
