Summer 2023 | Edible Notables

Basque-ing in Rich Culture

Find Old Country tradition — and food — at the 55th annual Reno Basque Festival.

The Reno Basque Club, a nonprofit organization formed in September 1966 to preserve and maintain Basque culture, is celebrating its 55th annual festival this summer. Attendees will enjoy listening to traditional folk music, dancing, dining, and diving into an unforgettable community celebration.

Known as one of Europe’s oldest heritages, Basque ancestry dates back 5,000 years and is tied to people whose homeland is the Pyrenees mountains over parts of Spain and France. In the 1800s, many Basque individuals and families emigrated from Europe to California and Nevada to accommodate familiar livelihoods that included sheepherding and ranching, as well as new prospects of gold and silver mining. As these Western communities grew, Northern Nevada quickly became a Basque cultural hub.

Today, Reno’s Basque culture still thrives, and there is no better way to capture that excitement than at the annual Basque festival.

Annual Traditions
Held each year on the third Saturday of July, the Basque Festival is a true celebration of the Old Country. Mark your calendars for Sat., July 15 at the Neil Road Recreation Center in Reno.

“We are always so excited to spread awareness of the Basque culture and how much we love it,” says Ali Marvel, vice president of the Reno Basque Club and member of the Basque dance group.

After a traditional church mass, the festival quickly comes alive with an array of folk favorites. Whether you want to explore the timeless feats of weightlifting, competitive woodchopping, lively dancing, or unforgettable dining, it’s easy to immerse yourself in this spirited celebration of living history.

Festival Foods
While traditional Basque meals were rooted in peasant backgrounds, the quality ingredients and culinary practices used in preparing them are anything but simple; they’re often loaded with garlic and famous for being served family style. This year’s festival foods will highlight cornerstone Basque flavors.

Discover favorites such as a bold lamb stew, a distinctive Basque salad with creamy garlic dressing, and a perfectly roasted pork solomo sandwich topped with a pimiento garlic tapenade.

The Basque Festival is more than a day of merriment — it’s an opportunity for immigrants, descendants, and cultural enthusiasts to partake in the traditional celebrations that bring the Basque world to life.

Being able to proudly share her heritage with the community each year, Marvel says, “lets me feel closest to my culture.”

For details, visit Renobasqueclub.org.

Reno Basque Festival
Sat., July 15, beginning at 10 a.m.
Neil Road Recreation Center
3925 Neil Road, Reno