Brockport plays host to Bienvenida

On June 24, a tradition of more than 20 years will be continued. The annual welcome of the migrant farmworkers, or Bienvenida, will take place in Brockport.

Participation is encouraged for each of the events planned for the day. There will be a church service, in Spanish but with translations, at the Nativity Church, 152 Main Street at 1 p.m. In front of the church, at about 2:30 p.m., groups of traditional Mexican dancers will perform. Following this there will be processions led by the dancers down the street to the First Baptist Church, where a free dinner will be provided. This is a time for connection between community members, the farmworkers and the farmers.

The breaking of the pinata will occur on the playground of the First Baptist Church at approximately 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to participate in any or all of the day's events.

The Brockport Ecumenical Outreach Committee, which organizes the event, is a faith-based group of representatives of area churches, Hispanic Migrant Ministries, the Migrant Education Opportunity Program and local growers. Its aim, since founding in 1989, is to increase mutual understanding among farmworkers, farmers and the greater community, to support the dignity of farmworkers and to assist with their food, clothing, housing and individual needs.

Each year the Bienvenida receives the support of area businesses (Wegmans, Ryans and Lorenzos) and farms (Martin and Lamont).

For information contact Grace Carson, president of the BEOC at 964-3956 or Luis Torres, director of Rural Migrant Ministries at 637-8360.

June 10, 2007