'We didn't understand what we were getting ourselves into': Organizers reminisce on 1988 Pelé visit to Bakersfield

KGET 17 News · June 30, 2026

On a mild autumn day in October 1988, thousands of residents of all ages came out to the new Kern County Soccer Park to see the living legend Pelé.

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&#039;We didn&#039;t understand what we were getting ourselves into&#039;: Organizers reminisce on 1988 Pelé visit to Bakersfield