Downey Street Fair

Roy Mendoza and Irene Luna

May 11, 2011

Downey’s very own Marching Band performed at the 18th Annual Downey Street Faire, which was held on Sat. May 7 from 9 to 5 p.m. on Brookshire Avenue right next to Downey High School. Marching up and down Brookshire multiple times, the band played mostly pep songs to keep the atmosphere upbeat and friendly to the family environment.

“The booths there are really random. It’s like `I didn’t know this was in Downey’,” sophomore Hanna Suarez, marching band member, said.

The marching band wasn’t the only musical entertainment of the day, though. A punk metal band and Warren High School’s Jazz ensemble were included on the set list, and crowds flocked to the stage to enjoy the live entertainment and various genres of music being played.

“I actually found out about the Downey Police Explorers program through the faire,” junior Valentina Thompson said. “My mom was pushing me to look into the program, and finally when I did, I found it’s a great experience. We learn self-defense and people skills as well, so it helps in whatever I do later on in life.”

The fair had a very friendly feel to it, with something for everyone in the family. The different businesses, both small and large alike, set up booths up and down the street to promote their products. Restaurants, trinket shops, and even churches renting out their dancing halls all gave out flyers and business cards, hoping to attract more and more customers. Also, the various forms of advertisement included handing out flyers, pencils and even attracting customers with face painting booths.

“I got my face painted like David Bowie with the red lightning bolt on my face,” Suarez said.

Food and snack stands set up, selling various dishes like tacos, shaved ice, and Alligator meat. Even children enjoyed themselves with the giant jumper-slides in the shapes of the Titanic sinking and a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The Old Memories Car Show was held in the south parking lot of DHS. People enjoyed the music and viewing the ostentatiously decorated vehicles. The day was filled with family, food, and fun for the residents of Downey that participated in the event.

About the Contributors

Roy Mendoza, Co-Editor-in-Chief/Copy Editor

Roy Mendoza is quite the multitasker. Not only is he a senior with a full schedule at Downey High, he is also mentoring his freshman sister, and has taken on the double duty of Co-Editor-in-Chief and Copy Editor of The Downey Legend. The busy student found his interest in writing during his middle school years and always sought to improve his skills as a reader and writer. He continued with this skill along to high school where, as a sophomore, he was offered a chance to be a part of history in the making by joining Downey High’s first ever Online Newspaper staff. Taken aback by the offer, he accepted, and two years later, he is glad he did because Mendoza holds a position now that has only ever been held once. “I feel so honored to have a double position,” the ambitious writer said. “I know sometimes the stress might get to me, but I have my Co-Copy Editor behind me at all times, and I need to be behind my E.I.C. one-hundred percent. I have her back completely, and I know she has mine because we’re the team captains, along with the Photo Editor. We have to set an example.” Mendoza is glad to have met and surpassed his goal to stay on the staff of The Downey Legend for the rest of his high school years, and plans to attend the University of California: Berkley after two years at Cal State Long Beach. He hopes the skills he has learned throughout his time in newspaper stay with him, as he wishes to be a reporter for The New York Times. Mendoza is proud of his position on staff, but he also makes time for friends and family as well. On the weekends, one can usually catch this teenager at popular local hang out spots with friends. One thing is for sure: there is much in store for this motivated yet humble individual.

Irene Luna, Editor-in-Cheif

Being one of the returning members of The Downey Legend, senior Irene Luna takes pride in her recently acclaimed position as Editor-in-Chief. The ambitious student’s journey all started at the beginning of her sophomore year. Having an available spot for an elective, Luna was placed in the newly created newspaper class. Even though she started as a writer, the 10^th grader worked her way up the ladder as Co-Arts & Entertainment Editor. The following year she was appointed Co-Editor-In-Chief, all the while being trained to achieve her current position. She has only the highest hopes for this year’s group of individuals. “After the long process of picking out the different students, I have complete confidence in saying that the 2011-2012 newspaper group will achieve many goals which could not be achieved in the previous years,” Luna said. When she’s not doing work for newspaper, you can find the Editor-in-Chief readily preparing herself for the future. Her experiences throughout high school have motivated Luna to study the field of Journalism as a probable career. Taking everything step by step, she hopes to attend the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. If that plan does not follow through, her second option would be attending a California State University. Though schoolwork may be a big part of her life, Luna proves to be a diligent worker. Contrary to many teens, she values her family, friends, and education above all other things. As the school year brings a fresh start, this motivated individual is ready to take charge of The Downey Legend.