We’d like to spotlight an annual festival near the most northern branch in our system, the La Habra Branch Library, or the “Winterfell” of OCPL as some our dearest Game of Thrones-loving patrons like to refer to us. The name La Habra refers to the “pass through the hills,” the natural pass to the north that was used by Spanish explorers over a century before the city of La Habra was founded in 1896. La Habra's first library opened on November 8, 1921 in a former tamale restaurant.The second building was constructed through a WPA project and is now the Old Settlers’ Historical Museum, open on Saturdays. The current library came around in March 1966, as seen in the groundbreaking ceremony photo where the installation of a time capsule took place.
The location of the time capsule is marked by a plaque at the front entrance of the library. When the time capsule is finally pulled out I wonder what people will think of the artifacts they find in it!
There are many things that represent La Habra, but it’s possibly best known for its World-Famous Corn Festival. The festival was started by the La Habra Host Lions Club which held its first Corn Festival in 1948. The festival started out as a simple one day event where the local community would get together and square dance, play some games, and eat corn. Fast forward to this past weekend, the city celebrated its 69th annual Corn Festival which spanned across 3 days, from August 4th-August 6th. This festival included a parade, several rides, attractions, corn eating contests, games, live music, a market place, and a 1965 red Ford Mustang opportunity drawing. 
We even had our friends from the OC Health Care Agency promoting the safe recycling of used motor oil and giving out equipment for proper disposal. The best thing about the festival is that it mostly takes place in the El Centro-Lions Park adjacent to the La Habra Branch Library. This means that the festival wraps around the library, with the parade marching down La Habra Blvd., there are rides and attractions in the parking lot, and a huge slide outside of the employee entrance; how fun!
I hope next year you can visit our branch and enjoy some buttered corn with the rest of us. Tell us about your favorite local festival!
Blog by Marcos Cerda
