The California State Fair is proud to announce the Inaugural Youth Mariachi Competition on July 22, 2018 from 2-5 p.m. at PG&E Center Stage. The event will showcase youth mariachi groups from across the state (from the Mexican Border to the San Francisco Bay Area and from California’s Central Coast through its Central Valley) and feature students from 1st grade to college.
This first-ever competition at the State Fair celebrates the rich tradition of mariachi music that has helped weave the social and cultural tapestry of California. With roots deep in Mexican-American communities, mariachi’s branches extend far, traversing borders and cultures by expressing the human experience, and the recent revival of mariachi in California’s schools. Mariachi influence will continue to grow, touching the people of this state and beyond. Following in this tradition, the Youth Mariachi Competition will bring together young mariachis from throughout the state to compete for recognition as The Best of California!
The young mariachis will enjoy a weekend of festivities, including tours of the State Capitol and Sacramento State University and community performances around the Sacramento region. The weekend culminates on Sunday, July 22nd, with the competition and a concert by world-renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. The youth mariachi groups will have the opportunity to meet Mariachi Vargas and play with them, and the winners of the competition will be announced just prior to the concert. First place will receive $5,000, second $3,000, and third $2,000.
The Youth Mariachi Competition would not be possible without California State Fair partners, the California Latino Legislative Caucus, Univision, and the Mexican Consulate, and our generous sponsors—Ford, Sprint, Delta/Aeromexico, Zocalo, Butler Amusements, the California Endowment, Mercury Public Affairs, and Thrivent—who have collectively provided the resources necessary for the transportation, lodging, meals, rides, and much more to ensure that our student participants have a memorable weekend. The Youth Mariachi Competition is funded in part by Visit Sacramento through funds generated by the Sacramento Tourism Marketing District.
Participating youth mariachi groups include:
-Mariachi Juvenil de San Diego (San Diego County)
-Herencia Mariachi Academy (Riverside County)
-Mariachi Rosas del Tepeyac (Orange County)
-Mariachi Tesoro de San Fernando (Los Angeles County)
-Mariachi Inlakech (Ventura County)
-Mariachi Juvenil Alisal (Monterey County)
-Mariachi Academy of Music (Santa Clara County)
-Los Cenzontles Juvenil (Contra Costa County)
-Mariachi Chavez Juvenil (San Joaquin County)
-Mariachi Puente (Yolo County)
