ABOUT THE REBOZO FESTIVAL

The Rebozo Festival is a benefit event established to raise funds for Ventura County non-profit charitable organizations focusing on the cultural, social and educational needs of the community. This unique cultural event promotes the rich heritage of our area by highlighting the colorful Mexican rebozo (shawl) as our theme.

Rebozo Festival is a nonprofit 501c(3) Organization Tax ID#46-3641584.

GALLERY

20+

YEARS

Meet the Madrinas (Godmothers) who organize this fantastic annual festival.

Meet the Madrinas

53+

GRANTS

Over the past 16 years we have proudly awarded grants to over 40 grant recipients.

Grant Awardees

2025 Rebozo Grant Application

Download

6+

HOURS

Experience a day of delicious food, rebozo displays & amazing entertainment!

The Program

8th Annual Honorary Madrina

Luz Villaseñor Cuevas

This year’s Honorary Madrina has repeatedly declined to be recognized for her generosity and philanthropic contributions surrounding the Rebozo Festival and local Oxnard community. We are pleased she has graciously accepted this year’s award and look forward to honoring her involvement in worthy causes around Ventura county. Luz is a native of Los Angeles (Boyle Heights), but has been a Ventura County resident for the last 32 years and considers this her true home. Having interests in civic engagement and business, she graduated from the University of Southern California and with a B.S. in Public Affairs and Administration. Outspoken, open minded, and a natural leader, she was the first Mexican American woman elected to the USC Student Senate, tutored local high school students, was an active member of M.E.Ch.A, “Get Out the Vote” and a member of the USC Centro Chicano.

Her activism began in high school, where she attended the liberal and progressive Sacred Heart of Jesus High School- an all-girls high school in Lincoln Heights. As a high school/college student during such a significant historical era such as the Vietnam War, Civil Rights Movement, Feminist Movement, and labor rights movement, Luz was compelled to create her worldview based on political activism, equality, and social justice/ responsibility.

After graduating from USC, she began her career in Los Angeles area businesses in the field of Human Resource Management. In late 1980, Luz was one of the professionals hired to work for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, where she remained until the close of 1984. During her time at the Olympics, she gained experience in world travel, global perspectives, large event and group organizing and hiring, and high-pressure workplace interfacing. She credits this time in her career as one of the most impactful, meaningful, and life-changing she has ever had.

She credits her parents for encouraging her to have her own beliefs and to be resilient. Luz’s parents were from Guadalajara, Jalisco and Los Angeles, and their immigrant spirit powered her family’s desire to work hard, the importance of giving back and especially a commitment to education. As the oldest of eight siblings, she has always been an empathetic and decisive team leader.

In 1992, Luz and her family moved to Oxnard where she continued her career in Human Resources, but this time her line of work moved towards agriculture- a staple in the Ventura County community. She also became involved in various community philanthropic endeavors such as bilingual education, emergency foster care, and has continued to be a member of The Ventura County Forty Leaguers; an all women’s philanthropic group that raise funds for and provide scholarship opportunities to local area students entering medical careers.

Luz and her husband Bob Cuevas own and operate one of Oxnard’s oldest businesses, Del Sol Harvesting Inc. This year the Company observes fifty years of doing business in the Oxnard plain. Del Sol Harvesting Inc. provides quality farm labor services to Ventura County growers and agricultural companies. In addition to its labor services, Del Sol Harvesting is involved in supporting varied Oxnard area causes such as Casa Pacifica, youth boxing, youth and adult soccer and baseball teams, and the renovation of the Iglesia del Cristo Rey and Our Lady of Guadalupe churches, where many of their employees attend. They have a special place in their hearts for INLAKECH, an organization run by Maestro Javier Gomez that seeks to keep alive the teaching and cultural importance of mariachi music and Folklorico dance with our community’s youth. These and other causes are near and dear to Bob and Luz and provide a source of pride and optimism for the future of the local community they serve so loyally. Bob and Luz reside in Camarillo where they continue to serve Ventura County. They enjoy traveling, concerts, and spending time with their families and friends. Together they have 7 children,17 (almost 18!) grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. As sponsors and attendees of the Rebozo Festival since its inception, they want to thank the committee this year for Luz’s recognition and the cultural significance the festival brings to our community. Enjoy the Event!!!

PAST EVENT GALLERIES

ENTERTAINMENT

Trio Sensacion

Mariachi Aguilas

InStone

Oxnard College Ballet Folklorico Mestizo under the direction of Mati Sanchez

Tere Vallejo

Sponsorship Opportunities

Call: 805.330.1812
Email: sponsors@rebozofestival.com

Sponsorship Packet
Sponsorships and Donations

Legacy Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Eva
Leckman

Bronze Sponsors

Gerardo “Jerry” Ascencio
Mission Real Estate

Joan Vicente, MD

Dena L. Rogers
State Farm Insurance

TICKETS

Purchase Tickets Online

Single Tickets

Available March 2024
(No refunds or credits – rain or shine event)

$80

at the door $85

Preferred Tables of Ten

Available as of December 2023
Please see Table Seating Chart.
Limited Preferred Seating

$800

Tables of 10 chairs only – No exceptions. Preferred Tables are prioritized by purchase date. Purchase by mail and save processing fees. No refunds or credits. This is a rain or shine event.

Tickets by Mail

Make Check or Money order payable to Rebozo Festival Inc.
P.O. Box 128
Oxnard, CA 93032-0128
Please specify name to be placed on table

Seating

View Seating Chart

TICKET OUTLETS

El Encanto Restaurant

602 Mobil Ave.,
Suite J, Camarillo, CA 93010
805.437.6186

Lazer Broadcasting Corp

200 South A Street, Suite 400
Oxnard, CA 93030
805.240.2070

Ruby's Fresh Mexican Food & Tequila Bar

2508 Las Posas Rd
Camarillo
CA 93010

Get In Touch With Us

(805) 330-1812

Email Links

General Info
Tickets
Sponsorships
About Grants

    Executive Board of Directors

    Irma J. Lopez

    Board Director & Founder

    Irma is a third generation Ventura County resident, raised in Camarillo and attended local schools; Oxnard College, Ventura College and University California Santa Barbara. Her father Pete Luna was born in Moorpark and her mother Sally Cervantez was born in Piru. She is married to Dr. Manuel M. Lopez, former longtime Mayor of the City of Oxnard and presently President of the Oxnard Harbor Commission. She has four daughters, Yvonne, Lisa, Marisa and Tiffany, nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

    She was a 24 year California State employee, working for the Employment Development Department and Senator Gary K. Hart. She has been a member of many organizations and on the Board of many Ventura County non-profits; The Salvation Army, Ventura County Women’s Political Caucus, Tres Condados Girl Scout Council, El Concilio, Oxnard-Ocotlan Sister City Committee, United Way, Oxnard Performing Arts Center Foundation, Oxnard College Foundation Board, LULAC and the Oxnard Elementary School Personnel Commission. She is a founding member of; VCCF Women’s Legacy Fund, Destino Legacy Fund and CSUCI Presidents Circle. She has been recognized by the Girl Scouts as a Woman of Distinction, Oxnard Woman of the Year, Cause action Fund Lifetime Achievement Award and the Mexican-American Bar Association Justice Award. She was recognized as the 2015 Woman of the Year by Senator Hanna Beth-Jackson.

    “My proudest achievement has been as founding Madrina of the REBOZO FESTIVAL. The first Festival was held in 2005. The 12th Annual Rebozo Festival will be celebrated in 2016. When the Rebozo Festival Committee was established in 2004 it was with the thought of establishing an organization that would support Ventura County private non-profits that further the cultural, economic and social well being of our community. I chose the name “Las Madrinas” because we, the volunteer Madrinas represent the life force of this collaborative effort. I am truly grateful to these volunteers who work tirelessly for our community”.

    Yolanda Plascencia

    Board Director & Treasurer

    Yolanda Plascencia was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, was raised and lived in Oxnard, CA for 30 years and currently lives in Camarillo. Together with her husband, Alfredo Plascencia, President and CEO of Lazer Broadcasting Corporation, Yolanda is helping the Hispanic community in several counties of California by promoting education, community services, local and international news, music and talent through the various Spanish radio stations. She is a devoted mother of three children–Elizabeth, Julissa and Alfredo Jr.–who has helped them complete their educational goals to succeed in their careers. Yolanda has been able to achieve her goal of helping others, as well, by being a part of and contributing to great organizations throughout Ventura County, such as founding Madrina of the Rebozo Festival, 2004-present; founding member of Destino 2000, 2000-Present; member of Clubes Zacatecanos, 1999-2015; past board member of Camarillo-Autlan Sister City, 1998-2006; past board member of Grants Committee and as well as the Vision Committee for VCCF. Currently, Yolanda is a board member of the Oxnard College Foundation.

    Barbara Barraza-Ordonez

    Board Director & Secretary

    Barbara Barraza-Ordonez was born and raised in Oxnard. She graduated from Oxnard High School and has attended both Oxnard and Ventura Colleges. She worked for the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) for over 40 years, in both supervisory and management positions. She also served as Secretary for the Western Ventura County Employer Advisory Council for over 10 years during her EDD career.

    Barbara currently does volunteer work for the Lighthouse Women and Children’s Shelter, located in Oxnard. She is also an active member of the Museum of Ventura County and serves on the Las Contemporaneas committee. She has been involved with the Rebozo Festival for the past 4 years. She currently resides in Oxnard with her son, Marco.

    Yolanda Lopez

    Board Director

    Yolanda a friend to many, always willing to give the best of herself and lend a helping hand. Yolanda has worked at Livingston Hospice for 22 years.   She is a member of the Zacatecanos Club and the director of their beauty pageant.  She is a member of a group who assists the Augustinian Recollects at the Augustinian Recollects Priory in Oxnard.   For 12 years she was a member of the local Fiestas Patrias committee and the director of the Señoritas Fiestas Patrias Beauty Pageant.  In her spare time, Yolanda is an event planner, making use of her talent working with flowers creating beautiful decorations for events.

    Born in El Palmar, Jalisco, to Don Salvador Pelayo y Doña Aleja Aguilar, the seventh of ten children, Yolanda has formed a beautiful family with her husband of 26 years Ricardo Lopez and their two children—Barbara and Edgar.

    Yolanda is a Rebozo Festival founding “Madrina.”She is convinced that this organization has helped the community in various ways—enhancing pride in wearing our traditional Rebozo, providing an event to promote our culture with traditional music, food, and entertainment, and giving funds to local organizations that greatly benefit from the financial support.

    Teresa Elenes Waisman

    Teresa is a graduate of Laverne University with a degree in Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from California Lutheran University. She retired as head of the Adult Services Department within the Human Services Agency. In the past 15 years she has been serving on the Board of Directors for the Oxnard College Foundation. The Oxnard College Foundation raises funds for college scholarships and program. Teresa is a long time county resident and currently makes her home in Oxnard with her husband Bruce. She has two daughters Mandi and Marnie and one stepson Jerremy and four grandchildren.

    Eva Leckman

    Eva was born in Texas and moved to California in 1972. She received bachelor degrees from Texas A&I and UCSB and graduated with a masters from UCLA. Eva worked for the Oxnard School District and California Department of Education’s Beginning Teacher program. Eva is retired and her favorite fundraising charities are Oxnard Educational Foundation, No Room at the Inn, And the Rebozo Festival.

    Yolanda Benitez

    Yolanda M. Benitez was born in Santa Paula and grew up in Los Angeles. It was in Los Angeles that her mother, a migrant worker and single mother, supported her goal to pursue a college degree. Yolanda attended California State University, Los Angeles where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree. She pursued additional graduate work at the University of Southern California. She is convinced that the only path out of poverty for Children is education. Yolanda has devoted her life to the education of children through her work as Principal, Director of State and Federal Projects, Assistant Superintendent and superintendent. In 2005, she retired as the Chief Academic Officer for the Los Angeles County of Education. She was responsible for the Largest Head Start Program in the United States, Migrant Programs, Charter Schools, STEAM programs, Common CORE, State and Federal Testing programs and Teacher/Administrator training. Currently she serves on the board of the Los Angeles County Friends of LACOE Foundation and is a Founding Madrina of Rebozo Festival, Inc.

    Madrinas

    Dolores Ochoa

    Dolores was born in Jalisco Mexico, and she has been living in Ventura County since 1966. Dolores, along with her husband, Javier Ochoa, have volunteered for the Migrant Education Program, Region 17, for over 18 years. She strongly advocates for the rights and needs of Migrant Families. Currently, Dolores serves as a board member of the Comite Cultural Mexicano, a non-profit organization that promotes the richness of our Mexican history, traditions, culture, and folklore.

    Marisa Michell Montgomery

    Marisa was born and raised in Mexico. She attended private Catholic elementary schools in Mexico before coming to California and attending Ventura High School and Ventura College. She returned to Guadalajara where she continued her education enrolling in the four-year nursing program. She graduated with a B.A. in nursing with a specialty in obstetrics. She returned to Ventura County and became a basic life-support instructor at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC), teaching CPR before becoming a certified lactation counselor and supporting VCMC’s effort to be a “Baby Friendly Hospital.”

    Lupe Reyes‐Castillo

    Elsa Bello

    Elsa was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and has lived in Oxnard since she was 9 years old. She graduated from Oxnard High School and attended the University of Laverne. She has been married to Felipe Bello for 38 years, and they have two daughters, Susie and Teri and one son, Felix. She loves music and her hobby is dancing. She retired from Verizon Communications after 36 years and is currently working for Lazer Broadcasting. She enjoys working with people and helping community-based organizations.

    Laura Barroso

    Laura Lizaola Barroso is a lifelong resident of Ventura County. Born and raised in Oxnard, she is the proud daughter of Manuel and Otilia Lizaola, both immigrants to the Unites States from Jalisco, Mexico. Laura has a Bachelor’ Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Psychology and  serves as the Director of Employee Relations and HR Operations with the Ventura County Community College District. Prior to that role, she worked for the County of Ventura for 26 years in various public servant roles. Laura is committed to her community, and currently resides in Oxnard with her husband, Ismael Barroso.

    Mary Lazaro

    Mary Lazaro was born in Ventura, CA, and raised in Mexico. Mary has lived in Oxnard since she was 13 when her family migrated back to California. She attended Oxnard College and graduated from the University of Oklahoma. Mary works for WestEd, a nonprofit research, development, and service agency, and oversees coordinating all aspects of large state-wide trainings and conferences in English and Spanish. She loves hiking, running, and any sports or physical activity. Mary is committed to helping her community. She serves as a lector at the Santa Clara Church in Oxnard and assists her partner Noel Nunez with Tri-County Realty helping families with real estate needs.

    Guadalupe Ledesma

    Guadalupe was born in Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico, and came to California at a very young age. She was raised in Santa Barbara where she attended local schools then moved to the Oxnard area in 2005. She worked for 14 years in Santa Barbara County as a case worker with children and teens. She then relocated to Ventura County Public Health working in the Immunization Program. She is a volunteer at Santa Barbara CALM, Shelter for Battered Women and Rebozo Festival, Inc. She has 2 children and 5 grandchildren and is passionate about the outdoor activities that she shares with her grandchildren now.

    Martha Vigil