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Santa
Ana Downtown Shopping District and Plaza Fiesta where gowns for Quinceanera
are prominent
Shopping in Historic Downtown Santa
Ana (listed in the National
Register of Historic Places) is a far different experience than boutique
shopping a few miles south at MainPlace Shopping Mall where a California
Governor (Arnold Schwarzenneger) ran through the halls in a chase scene filmed in
the moive Kindergarten Cop some years
ago.
Downtown Santa Ana is comprised of a
70% + Hispanic population and reflects the cultural preferences for foods,
clothing and entertainment that audience seeks.
Bustling shops near Main Street and the numbered streets 2nd, 3rd & 4th
include window displays with Spanish written on them. Shop
workers often pitch their wares at the door to a shop, attempting to lure
people in to purchase clothing, watches, bicycles and a variety of foods and
gift items.
Plaza Fiesta, is a red-brick walkway
plaza with a children's carousel. Surrounding the children's ride are
restaurants serving take out that can be eaten at the shaded picnic tables
nearby. A movie theater next door in the Plaza features Spanish language
films.
Like any other shopping district,
there's lots of traffic, lots of people and lots of shopping going on.
Metered parking is the norm so bring ample change (quarters) because the
parking meter police aggressively circle the area in electric carts.
One of the most popular types of
stores and items sold in downtown Santa Ana are wedding and formal wear
shops selling elaborate hoop-skirt gowns and dresses for weddings, formals
and the big event where lots of money is spent, the teenage girl's
Quinceanera - the celebration for the Mexican Girl's Fifteenth Birthday
Party.
While fad clothing and trendy jeans
are worn by teenagers in Santa Ana and throughout California, parents and
their daughters cling to a tradition that's celebrated in California with
all the fanfare enjoyed south of the border in Mexico. A Quinceanera (the
term refers both to the celebration and to the girl who has turned 15) is a
debutante's coming out party, basically. The celebration recognizes
and acknowledges a young girl's entry into the adult world. Reaching
sexual maturity and now an adult, she must prepare for additional family and
social responsibilities. The celebration also reaffirms religious faith and
the virtues of family values.
On the night before her 15th birthday,
the girl about to be honored is serenaded by a mariachi band in front of her
house. The Quinceanera ceremony usually takes place the following Saturday.
The Quinceanera celebration begins with the Misa de accion de gracias
(thanksgiving mass with the honoree arriving in church dressed in a fancy
full-length gown, usually white or pale pink in color, together with a
matching headdress and an elaborate bouquet. She is accompanied by her
parents, godparents and members of her "Court", consisting of several young
women called damas (maids of honor) and several young men called
chamberlains (escorts). The event has the pomp and circumstance of a church
wedding.
The girl places her bouquet on the
altar at the conclusion of mass and her family and friends pass out small
commemorative favors to the guests. The entire group then proceeds to a banquet hall for a
festive dinner and dance reception.
After a lavish feast, there's music and dancing. The quinceanera and her
father enter the dance floor and begin with a waltz. Next, members of her Court
are introduced and then the godparents have their first dance. The dance
floor is finally opened for all guests, with men taking turns dancing with the quinceanera.
During the reception, there is a Crowning Ceremony where a parent or
godparent replaces the headpiece worn by the quinceanera with the tiara and
also presents her with a scepter as an emblem of authority and
responsibility. There's also a toast to the quinceanera, where guests
offer congratulatory wishes. Somewhat like the tradition of a wedding, this
is followed by the cutting of a
multi-tiered cake decorated in a color matching the quinceaera's
gown. The celebration culminates with the festejada - a dance to a
traditional waltz by the quinceaera with one of her chamberlains (escorts).
Gifts are offered to the 15-year old girl who enjoys the attention bestowed
upon her in this highlight event of growing up.
The description above was written to
help you understand and appreciate the reason so many shops in downtown
Santa Ana sell lavish gowns. Shopping in Downtown Santa Ana not
only provides an interesting cultural departure from nearby malls, it also
offers a glimpse into the sums of money spent on young Mexican girls, a
demographic that's gaining more attention with new approaches and
advertising dollars focused on getting this young teen and her parents to
spend.
In downtown Santa Ana along the
streets you'll see vendor carts selling colorful cotton candy and Mexican
chips that looked like puffed up tortillas with red seasoning on the white
shell. The colorful food carts also feature bottles of drinks and
occasionally some children's squeaky or slinky toys are sold as a point of
purchase impulse items for parents who can't say "no" to the eye candy their
tots notice.
The language spoken in this shopping
district is primarily Spanish, though many people do speak English,
especially in the shops where business is transacted. In this odd
transitional shopping district that's experiencing its own set of growing
pains, the mixed use projects are creeping into town. Many of the historic
buildings and storefronts are being purchase for ad agencies, law firms and
investors. New buildings are more and more integrating apartment and condo
units into their mixed use plans. The Hispanic shopping region is becoming
Americanized ever so slowly.
Plaza of the Artists in Artists
Village on the perimeter of the core shopping area features trendy night
clubs and coffee houses such as Gypsy Den Cafe. This is a great place to
grab a tasty sandwich made with healthy ingredients and fresh baked bread.
When night comes along, clubbers come downtown to listen to music, socialize
and sip designer cocktails in bars, restaurants and coffee shops featuring
artists' works.
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