Bob Moore Auto Group and Bob Moore Nissan of Norman are teaming with the Pioneer Library System to host a Fiesta Cinco de Mayo to end The Big Read.

The public is invited to this free, family, come-and-go event Monday, May 5, 6 -8 p.m. at the Nissan dealership, 3901 Journey Parkway (I-35 and Tecumseh Road) in Norman.

“Everyone can enjoy music by Son del Barrio, dance exhibitions by Las Estrellas Folklorico de Oklahoma, children’s crafts with Norman Public Library children’s staff, and food by El Chico of Norman,” says Gary Kramer, Public Information Officer for Pioneer Library System.

Bob Moore Auto Group and Pioneer Library System have offered an Altima as incentive for the public to participate in The Big Read: Bless Me, Ultima which began in February. More than 80 special events in the three counties during four months were hosted by the library system and its nine branch libraries.

Participants at any of the book discussions or other special events, or visitors to the car dealership were eligible to enter the drawing for the 2005 silver, four-door Altima. The winning entry will be drawn at 7 p.m. during the celebration. The winner does not have to be present to win.

Pioneer Library System was one of 127 libraries, municipalities, arts, culture, and higher education and science organizations to have been awarded grants to participate in The Big Read, the largest federal reading program in U.S. history.  National sponsors for The Big Read include National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.

The Fiesta Cinco de Mayo celebration is sponsored by: Pioneer Library System, Bob Moore Auto Group, El Chico of Norman and Tyler Media.

The Chicano classic novel by Rudolfo Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima, presents a 1940s New Mexico family dealing with conflicting family traditions, including those of the vaquero, or cowboy. This event is intended to help readers gain insight into the lives of the novel’s characters.

The Vaquero Tradition, a The Big Read Keynote event, will take place Sunday, April 27, at 2:30 p.m. at the McClain County Expo Center in Purcell. The event will include a live Mariachi band, free Vaquero barbecue, children’s crafts, and demonstrations of horseback riding, reigning skills and the sport of cowboy mounted shooting.

Purcell resident Todd Arvidson, a well known leader in the National Reining Horse Association, will present the reigning demonstration. 

Area residents Frank and Meg Wall and their daughter Hannah (also known as Wild Willy Wall, Lightning Lizzie, and Trigger Happy Hannah) will demonstrate the sport of cowboy mounted shooting. 

Vaquero clothing on loan courtesy of area resident Frank Merrill will be on display. 

The National Endowment for the Arts is seeking feedback on The Big Read, a nationwide program that encourages literary reading among adults. Locally, the Pioneer Library System is conducting The Big Read in Cleveland, McClain, and Pottawatomie counties.

Anyone who reads Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya or who attends any The Big Read events or book discussions sponsored by the Pioneer Library System can share their opinions with the NEA by logging on to www.neabigread.org/survey.php and completing the online participant survey.

In addition to the online option, paper survey forms will be available in limited numbers at certain The Big Read events. Persons who complete the survey, whether on paper or online, will have the opportunity to participate in a follow-up, in-depth survey conducted on behalf of the NEA.

For more information about The Big Read: Bless Me, Ultima, visit or call your nearest Pioneer Library System hometown public library or log on to www.justsoyouknow.us .

The Chouse, is an opportune venue for the next keynote Big Read event. A program titled, “The Influence of the Church on Hispanic Artistic Expression,” will be at the The Chouse, 717 West Boyd in Norman, Friday, March 14 at 7 p.m. The program will explore examples of art and music which reflect Hispanic culture and Catholic influence, both major themes in Bless Me Ultima. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, call 701-2620.

The Chouse is a private residence often used for special events. It once was St. Thomas More Catholic Church built in 1926 and remodeled by Tom Lee and his wife, Mary Katherine. The couple was careful to keep much of the church’s original architecture and now, call their residence the Chouse, a combination of church and house.

Bruce Boggs, Associate Professor of Modern Spanish Literature at the University of Oklahoma and Allison Palmer Associate Professor of Art History at the OU School of Art and Art History will be guest speakers. A special musical performance by Robert Ruiz, owner of Enye Music and the Enye Group will also be a part of the event.