SANTA ANA – Jerome Park was bustling Saturday as people gathered to pay tribute to Cesar Chavez, who worked to unite farm workers and bring better conditions to the fields.

Maria Elena Chavez, the niece of Cesar Chavez, spoke about his legacy, and that of her father, Richard Chavez during the 12th annual celebration in Santa Ana.

The brothers didn’t have high school educations, she said.

"They had faith, passion, and the education that comes with being a worker," she said.

The United Farm Workers, the union founded by Cesar Chavez, now is working to enforce a heat regulation allowing outdoor workers to seek shade and water during high heat.

Her father died in July, and Chavez teared up as she spoke about how he had planted a tree in the community garden at Jerome Park in 2008. The Washington naval orange tree was dedicated to the Chavez family Saturday.

"This is the most beautiful thing we could do in his honor," Chavez said.

The community garden was open. University of California Master Gardeners and members of The Grain Project were on hand to answer gardening questions.

The OC Peace and Dignity Barrio Run kicked off the event by running 6.7 miles from Westminster to Santa Ana. They marched into the arena chanting "Si Se Puede! – Yes We Can" and were honored on stage. After the presentation, hoop dancer Nanabah Kadenehii, 10, performed.

"I like to pay tribute to the culture," said Ross Romero of La Habra. "I appreciate everything (Chavez) did. It’s nice to see people still honoring what they did."

Enyelber Franco, of Santa Ana Parks and Recreation, said he enjoys listening to the speeches by people who knew Cesar Chavez.

"It’s great to have that kind of support for someone so iconic," Franco said.

The celebration was organized by Assemblyman Jose Solorio, who started the event 12 years ago as a Santa Ana councilman.

Volunteers Fidel Vazquez and sister Diana Vazquez were attending the celebration for the first time.

Diana Vazquez was enjoying learning more about Cesar Chavez. She said she’d heard about him but didn’t know specifics about his life. Her brother was enthused about the Santa Ana Police Department booth, and hopes to become a cadet.

Two bounce houses were set up for kids to play in, and groups like Think Together, Jumpstart, Kaiser Permanente and a neighborhood group working to protect the Sexlinger Orange Orchard from development had booths around the perimeter of the event area. The TKO Youth Boxing Club was selling hot dogs, nachos and drinks.

For more news out of the county’s Latino communities, visit the Register’s OC Latino Link blog at oclatinolink.ocregister.com.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7949 or ejames@ocregister.com