By Special to the Town Crier

The Cupertino Historical Society in conjunction with other local historical and cultural organizations is sponsoring the commemoration and re-enactment of the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition and 93rd Encampment of March 25 and 26, 1776.

The event will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, to coincide with the 225th anniversary of the first overland expedition of Anza’s party, which camped in present-day Cupertino. The event will take place on a prominent knoll adjacent to Rancho San Antonio County Park and will last until 2:30 p.m. It was atop this knoll on March 26, 1776 and as inscribed by Fray Pedro Font in his diary, that the Estuary of San Francisco was first sighted during their journey up the Peninsula towards San Francisco.

The Commemoration or Commemorativo is a “living history” event, which will include the De Anza Lancers of Cupertino, a military unit recognized by the state of California. Participants will include Ohlone Tribal representatives and descendants from the original expedition of 1776 represented by Los Fundadores de Alta California - Friends of Santa Clara County and Los Californios. Music from this historic period will be provided by El Conjunto California.

Phil Valdez Jr. who is an eighth generation descendent and local historian - as well as Bernal descendent Greg Smestad, a professor from the Institute for International Studies, Monterey California, will share their insights into this fascinating period of early California history.

There is no parking at or near the knoll site, on Cristo Rey Drive, nor in the adjoining neighborhoods. Those wishing to attend by automobile are requested to only use designated parking at Rancho San Antonio County Park. Designated parking is located within a 10-minute walk to the event site.

For more information, call the Cupertino Historical Society at (408) 973-1495.