Pinedale celebrates 100 years. ‘There’s so very few places like this left in the world’

Residents of Pinedale lined the streets of the northwest Fresno community on Saturday morning to celebrate 100 years since its establishment.

Hundreds enjoyed a lively parade, dancing, music, food and community togetherness for the centennial celebration sponsored by the Pinedale Community Association (PCA).

Several proclamations from various city, state and federal representatives were presented to David Rodriguez, president of the PCA.

Rodriguez was especially pleased to see the community come together for the event that the PCA spent “countless hours” organizing. He said that what makes it all worth it to him is to “see the smiles on the people who haven’t seen each other in a long time.”

Naomi Garcia, a lifelong resident who designed the banners and signs for the event, was helped by Fresno Councilmember Mike Karbassi in unveiling Garcia’s rendering of a proposed Pinedale community gateway that would be erected at Minarets and Sugar Pine avenues. The city of Fresno has pledged $100,000 toward the project so far while Garcia says community members will be fundraising for the remainder of its cost.

“There’s so very few places like this left in the world,” Garcia proudly said as the parade got underway, adding that Pinedale is a place “where you know your neighbor’s name, where you can go to your friend’s house without calling first.”

Garcia’s mother Lori Garcia, a well-known teacher from the community, shared her sentiments, as well. “Pinedale is a beautiful place,” she said. “The people have so much heart and so much pride. They stick together. They take care of one another. They encourage one another. It is just a beautiful hidden gem right here in northwest Fresno.”

Organizers also honored Japanese Americans who were held in a detention center in Pinedale during World War II. Marion Masada and Robert Shintaku, both of Fresno, rode in the parade representing Japanese American internees. Masada and Shintaku, who were held in an Arizona internment camp, were part of the committee that built the Pinedale Assembly Center memorial to honor and remember those Japanese Americans detained there.

Following the parade, food and craft vendors opened up around the Pinedale Elementary School baseball fields, a cake was cut and dancing performers entertained Pinedalians.

Naomi Garcia concluded that Pinedale’s sense of family is unmistakable. “A hundred years of family, friendship and community,” she said echoing the community’s centennial banner and adding that its people are always there “helping each other up a ladder.”