The double-barreled party on Sunday, of a Oaxacan cultural festival and a World Cup final match, was not the first time this year that the Plaza and Pavilion teams worked together to bring a full day of hospitality to Healdsburg. Mayor Chris Herrod reminds us that on June 13, a civic Pride Month celebration was held at the Foley Pavillion, the same day as the Jazz Festival’s free Juneteenth Concert at the Plaza.
Last Sunday, July 19, said Herrod, “Healdsburg pulled off another ‘two-fer’ with the Guelaguetza festival at Foley and a screening of the World Cup final at the Plaza. In each case Healdsburg displayed its abundant ability to welcome a wide variety of people in a spirit of togetherness and community. We’re inspired to celebrate our diversity—and we do so with ease and enthusiasm.”
Guelaguetza is not a major religious holiday, of which Latin America has plenty, but a gathering around the common elements of Oaxacan communities. The Guelaguetza—first held in the city of Oaxaca in 1934—is now the largest ethnic celebration in Latin America, with similar tributes now taking place in many cities across California and the United States.
“It will be a magical day,” said Victor Hernandez, “with live philharmonic music, dance and poetic performances that passionately evoke the diverse corners of Oaxaca’s villages. Many of the most iconic folkloric pieces from the Guelaguetza festival will be presented.”
The event kicked off with a colorful march or calenda of village groups—a traditional Oaxacan community parade and street celebration featuring live brass bands, traditional dancing and mojigangas (giant paper-mâché puppets)—all in their festival finery, with food trucks and pop-up novelty shops that took both visitors and locals back to Mexico.
A simulcast of the 2026 World Cup championship game, broadcast live in the Healdsburg Plaza, made the day even more distinctive for sports fans. It was an idea hatched only a few weeks ago, “as a way to generate interest in soccer in the community, especially our fall soccer program,” said Ray Holley of the city’s communications office.
The pop-up screening cost about $3,000, all paid for by sponsors. Community Services staffer Eric Guzman deserves credit for the idea and logistics, Holley said. Guzman worked with FIFA guidelines that allow a free showing in a public park.
For the most part, the twin events a few yards apart went off without a hitch. “Even when we have our wonderful Community Services team pulling double duty, we are able to create space for more than one memory-making event,” said Mayor Herrod. “That’s something we can really treasure as a community.”
Check back to this page for more images from these two events.
