They are the heart of how the quality of life is defined in a community, and each year our communities put an exclamation point on their definition with a variety of events that bring cities together and draw thousands inside their borders.
They are events like this weekend’s Mural-In-A-Day festivities in Toppenish and the Dino-In-A-Day celebration in Granger. These events have been part of each respective community for years and are a vital part in keeping up with each town’s theme…”Western” in Toppenish and “Dinosaurs” in Granger.The communities of the Mid-Yakima Valley are full of annual celebrations that make our area a pleasure to live in.
These events are designed to highlight the good in the community, offering citizens and visitors alike a day or evening of activities the whole family can enjoy. It is an opportunity for these communities to show what they are all about, and they put scores of volunteers to work to promote their cities.
And they serve as a reminder to folks that their hometowns are indeed special places to be a part of.
So this weekend, and throughout the year, lets get out and support our hometown events. A lot of work and effort is put into the organization of these festivities and they are an important part of the community. They provide fun and entertainment, a boost to the local economy, and a general sense of fulfillment in knowing that these events make each of our towns unique.
We salute all these events and others that serve as a way to enhance and promote the quality of life found in all these communities. They are what make the region strong, and they all are worthy of recognition. – F.A.

Fernando Aceves is editor of the Review Independent. He is also general manager/editor of ¡Viva! Spanish Newspaper.