Ocotlan, Jal Mexico

The Sister City relationship between Oxnard, California and Ocotlan, Jalisco, Mexico was officially chartered by the U.S./Mexico Sister Cities Association in 1964.

The purpose is to promote goodwill, friendship, mutual respect and understanding between the people of both countries through a program of exchanges and visitations on a person- to- person rather than at a governmental level.

Ocotlan has a population of 155,000 and is located near the northeast shore of Lake Chapala, about sixty miles from Guadalajara, the state capital of Jalisco – [English] Jalisco [Spanish]. The climate is moderate year round.

Founded around 1530, the name means “land of ocote”, or pitch pine. The local economy consists of agriculture, fishing, furniture manufacturing, textiles, synthetic products, cattle. Education from kindergarten to university levels is available.

Reciprocal visits are held each summer with members of the Oxnard Committee visiting Ocotlan on even numbered years and Ocotlan coming to Oxnard on odd numbered years. All members are encouraged to be a part of the visitation activities which last from 5 to 6 days.

Visitors from the visiting city are provided with lodging (in guests homes), meals and transportation during the official days of their visitation. Airfare, side trips and attendance at the U.S./Mexico Sister Cities Conference are at participants own expense.

Activities between sister cities consist of cultural and social programs as well as educational and artistic excursions and renewing friendships and exploring cultural differences and similarities.

Locally, the Oxnard committee holds membership meetings in private homes consisting of either a potluck or hosted dinners and barbecues.

Yard sales, holiday parties and other activities are held to raise funds to support the sister city activities.

Traveling as a group to a distant city in a foreign land makes for an unforgettable adventure. Dress code for travel and the first day of the visitation are same color blazers and slacks for men and same color jackets and pants for the women. It makes for quite an impressive group embarking on a mission as ambassadors of Goodwill.

When possible, the Oxnard committee works with Ocotlan to:

• Obtain medical equipment
• Donate library books
• Assist in fund raising (assisted with 1992 earthquake)
• Provide Cultural exchanges (Oxnard High School Band traveled to Ocotlan in 1993 and 1996)
• Friendship baseball tournaments
• Donate fire trucks and rescue equipment

* Photo in top left is of “El Templo Maximo Ocotlense del Senor de la Misericordia”