Cassidy Diaz
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne’s Latino Student Forum hosted the Lowriders in La Verne event Saturday in Parking Lot E.
It featured about 25 lowriders and classic cars were displayed in all.
The event honored the upcoming Latin American holiday of Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2.
The holiday honors and remembers loved ones who have passed away through festivities, food, photographs, music and colorful decorations.
An ofrenda, or altar, was set-up with colorful decorations of painted skulls, colorful papel picado and marigolds, which is the traditional Day of the Dead flower because of its vibrant color and powerful scent that is believed to guide spirits to their altars.
Mexican food, desserts and agua frescas were being served by students in LSF, music was provided by a DJ.
Lowriders, classic cars and motorcycles filled the parking lot with various types, colors and unique interior design. Some of the designs included animal prints, colored velvet and exterior hot pink vinyl wraps. Other vehicles had festive Halloween decorations and marigold stems scattered as a sign of respect for the holiday.
The University’s folklorico club performed various traditional Mexican dances during the event. Student dancers were dressed in traditional folklorico attire of ruffled and colorful dresses and charro suits with boots.
“It feels pretty cool to be a part of this event and provide a unique side of latin culture here at school through dance,” Syra Arian, sophomore biology major and secretary of the folklorico club said. “Events like these keep culture alive, and that’s what we are doing through folklorico.”
The majority of the classical cars were from members of the Classic OG SoCal, a car club. They specialize in restoring and customizing classic cars and traveling to various car shows to display the art of lowriders.
“From my younger days I really appreciated the look of custom cars, and I wanted to start working on cars,” Thomas Parrilla, member of Classic OG SoCal club. “Once I started cruising and going to shows and sharing with everybody my artwork, and so did everyone else in showing their own handcrafts it brings the community together in appreciating the art of others.”
In Mexican-American and Chicano heritage, lowriders play a big part in the community and cultural expression in Los Angeles since the 1940s. Within clubs and communities lowriders represent respect, familial bonds and pride.
Victor Carbajal has been connected to lowriders for his whole life. He heard about Lowriders in La Verne through an online flyer and came from the city of Norco to display his 1968 silver Chevy Caprice.
“I’ve been raised with lowriders within my family, through uncles and friends, it is just something that is in our blood,“ Carbajal said. “It’s important to celebrate our heritage, and to share the lowrider culture. I wanted to support the university’s Latino students by showing up. They are doing good work for the community and Latino heritage by honoring traditions like this.”
Anait Lopez, who is a resident of the city of La Verne and came to support her niece who is a part of the folklorico club, is proud that students are sharing parts of the Latino heritage and culture with the La Verne community.
“In uncertain times like today, where our culture is being diminished, these types of events are more important than ever,” Lopez said. “The community coming out to support the student events with all classic cars, music, and Mexican heritage, is important because we want to keep culture alive throughout the years to come.”
Cassidy Diaz can be reached at cassidy.diazgomez@laverne.edu.
Cassidy Diaz is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print and online journalism. She is also news editor for the Campus Times, and previously served as an assistant editor and a staff writer.
