The late Mary and Jose Tamayo would be amazed.
Here, about 35 years after they came to Sonoma County and opened a modest burrito and fresh-tortilla shop in Santa Rosa, their family will be honored as Grand Marshals of the 117th Luther Burbank Rose Parade.
The Tamayo family will ride the parade route on May 21 in a horse-drawn wagon in acknowledgement of their decades of community contributions and of all Sonoma County has gained from having the family business, La Tortilla Factory, located here.
The people who are working year-round to vitalize and sustain the Rose Parade — this year’s theme, “Rose Town Hoedown” — appreciate the Tamayo family’s support and encourage us all to kick in a little something to keep the event rolling.
If you go to roseparadefestival.com you can donate even $5 to help assure the Rose Parade will continue to bloom and delight every year.
See you, and the Tamayos, downtown on May 21.
Chris Smith has been writing for The Press Democrat for more than 30 years and has been a full-time columnist with the newspaper since 2002. After graduating from San Jose State University with a degree in reporting and editing, he worked as a reporter for the Riverside Press-Enterprise and the weekly Independent Coast Observer in Gualala/The Sea Ranch before becoming a correspondent for The Press Democrat in Fort Bragg/Mendocino. He is married to