The city of Fullerton, well-known for its Cal State campus and downtown life, hosted the “Women Who Rock” festival Saturday afternoon.

This was the second annual “Women Who Rock,” with the first being in 2023 as a part of the “Women of Wisdom” exhibit. This year it was a part of the “Leo Fender: Fullerton To The World” exhibit, which is why the “Women Who Rock” title exists.

The event was held at the Fullerton Museum Center in the downtown plaza where musicians, artists and vendors were available to the casual strollers and attendees of the festival. The event was held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., out of respect for the community and nearby residences.

As the first year was seen as a major success and drew many, Elvia Susana Rubalcava, Fullerton Museum Center executive director, was interested in bringing it back as an annual event to support artists, vendors and the museum.

“Unfortunately, the city cut our funding so we have to come up with different ways to bring revenue to the museum,” Rubalcava said.

While the event was no more than four hours, it still brought on a consistent flow of foot traffic, as locals came in unique clothes, hairstyles and makeup.

When booking guests for the festival, Rubalcava does like to include locals but also branches out. “There’s some people from Brea, there’s some people from Whittier, there’s some people from Los Angeles because we want to have a mix and we want to be known regionally,” Rubalcava said.

Plenty of vendors were from other cities such as Riverside and Corona, not being limited to just Fullerton. And when knowing how to map out events like these, Rubalcava said it’s “really knowing the pulse of the community” and working with her team and surveying what the people are interested in.

“For me, I feel like people are wanting more, especially after the pandemic, they want to be outdoors, they want to be with each other and create a venue and no one was really doing that,” Rubalcava said.

After hearing about the slash in funding, FMC Board of Trustees President Janet Buzan said, “We as board members and staff had to find creative ways to not just have fun, build a community, but also to raise revenue.”

“We have to be self-sustaining,” she added.

Buzan credits the locals and members of the museum for helping keep their doors open, not only for events like the festival but for their Pride Day and winter market.

Buzan mentioned that there isn’t much coming together anymore, so these festivals were a way to bring the community together to have fun.

Rubalcava also noted that Orange County Pride was moved to October, and the venue, having been in Santa Ana, is now in Costa Mesa. Fullerton Pride will be the only Pride event hosted in Orange County in June.

“It’s a lot of responsibility but a lot of joy that we’re becoming a place where people know that they can come and celebrate from whatever walks of life,” Rubalcava said.

As far as inspirations in their womanhood, both Buzan and Rubalcava had noted women who have been there for them.

“I am really thankful over my lifetime that I’ve had a network of strong female friends,” Buzan said.

She added that she is still friends with many at her Gamma Phi Beta sorority.

Buzan stressed her gratitude toward Rubalcava’s dedication and enthusiasm, who was sitting next to her, and that working with people in the community has been a great experience because it takes strength to reopen the doors at the museum.

After being asked about her inspirations, Rubalcava pointed to Buzan and assured that she was definitely an inspiration.

“I know sometimes as the director I have to be the face or I get a lot of attention, but if it wasn’t for Janet and the years of experience, she’s been doing this for almost 40 years, the museum would not be open,” Rubalcava said.

Being very community-based, Rubalcava and Buzan thanked the members, volunteers, board members and their spouses who supported them by volunteering to help bring the event together.

The FMC’s next opening, “Aliento a Tequila” will educate on the makers of tequila and also have artists. The exhibit will open April 6, 2024.