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MINNESOTA’S SPICIEST CELEBRATION MAY 6 & 7
St. Paul's first sign of summer, the 29th annual – and admission-free – Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in District del Sol is on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, 2011. Featuring over six blocks of food, five stages of live music and entertainment for the entire family to enjoy, this award winning outdoor festival has become the largest Hispanic/Latino event in Minnesota and one of the top 10 Cinco de Mayo celebrations nationwide.
Known as “Minnesota's Spiciest Celebration,” the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year to the District del Sol commercial corridor. Proceeds from the celebration are reinvested in the West Side community in the form of neighborhood revitalization efforts and economic development initiatives. The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, which honors the historical Mexican Battle of Puebla (1862), brings to life the strength, spirit and pride of Minnesota's Hispanic/Latino culture in the heart of the West Side community.
WHAT'S NEW IN 2011?
La Plaza Quinceañera: This new area is dedicated to the quinceañera – a celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday – which is highly celebrated in many parts of Latin America marking a girl's transition from childhood to young womanhood. In this space fiesta goers will be able to learn about the tradition and check out local vendors specializing in dress, music, dance, and other things needed for a quinceañera celebration. La Plaza Quinceañera will be open Saturday near Cesar Chavez Street and State Street.
Grito Contest on Boca Stage: A celebration cry in Mexico, the “grito,” is commonly shouted at parties during traditional Mexican music – such as mariachi and banda. Sounding similar to “aaayyyeee,” the first sound is held as long as possible followed by a set of trills. The contest will be held at the Boca Chica Stage on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Button discounts at local businesses in April and May: Who doesn't love a good deal! Wear your Cinco de Mayo Fiesta button into several District del Sol businesses and receive special discounts in April and May. For a complete listing, visit
www.districtdelsol.com/docroot/cincodemayo/destinations/cincobutton.html
Jalapeño eating contest: Who can handle the hottest of the hot? In addition to the Salsa Tasting Contest, fiesta-goers can enter one of three jalapeño eating contest “heats” Saturday at 1p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. to see if they can handle the burn better than the rest.
Margarita Garden: ¡Más tequila! What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with a refreshing margarita! This year's fiesta will have additional margarita gardens for fiesta goers to enjoy.
TOP 10 THINGS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO SEE & DO
The 10 things you must see and do to get the full experience of the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.
1. Community Wellness Village, sponsored by State Farm Insurance (Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.) – The Community Wellness Village is dedicated to positive physical, mental, spiritual and cultural health, and encourages consumer wellness by providing a variety of informative, supportive and educational resources.
2. Amateur Photo Contest (Friday and Saturday) – Bring your camera to capture the 2011 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on film, and submit your best shots taken during the event for a chance to win prizes. The contest is open to amateur photographers of all ages, the two categories are “The Music of Cinco” and “The Food of Cinco”. Download an entry form and find photo contest details at http://www.districtdelsol.com/docroot/cincodemayo/destinations/photo-contest.html
3. Five Outdoor Stages of Live Music and Entertainment (Friday – Saturday) – Throughout the day, enjoy free music and dance performances by local, national and international artists. This year's headliners are Los Sierreños and Alejandra La Chica Cumbia. For a complete lineup of bands and artists visit www.districtdelsol.com/cincodemayo/performances.html
4. “People's Choice” Salsa Tasting Contest (Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.) – Let your taste buds decide who wins this spicy competition! This is a unique opportunity to taste and judge some of the best salsas in the area. More salsas than ever before! Can you stand the heat? If you dare, test your tolerance for “picante” in the jalapeño eating contest. Join one of the three “heats” throughout Saturday.
5. Lowrider Car Show (Friday, 4 – 9 p.m.) – During the Lowrider Car Show spectators line the streets for a close look at some of the hottest lowrider cars, trucks and bikes on the road.
Hydraulic Showcase (Friday, 6:30 p.m.) – This is your chance to see lowrider cars defy gravity. These vehicles “hop” and “dance” to the music to earn the applause of the crowd. Some of the cars in the Friday showcase will be available to see throughout the fiesta on Saturday at Cesar Chavez and Robert.
6. Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Parade, sponsored by REDA (Saturday, 10 a.m.) – District del Sol comes to life with the colorful history and rich traditions of Hispanic/Latino culture during the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Parade. This year's parade will be led by 2011 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Grand Marshal Doctor of Dentistry Brad McDonnell of the West Side Dental Clinic. Dr. McDonnell or “Doctor Brad” as he lovingly is called has served in the community since 1978 when he became the first dentist hired at the West Side Dental Clinic. Be sure to grab a spot toward the beginning of the parade route for the best seats!
7. Cinco Sports Zone (Saturday, 9 am. – 6 p.m.) – The Cinco Sports Zone encourages fun and athletic activities. Amateur and professional Minnesota sports organizations are featured, including the Twins, Timberwolves and more!
8. Children's Area, sponsored by Wells Fargo (Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) – A wide variety of activities for children – including pony rides, story telling, cultural crafts and much more – can be found in the Children's Area.
9. History Area, sponsored by Xcel Energy (Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.) – The History Area celebrates the rich history and traditions of the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, the West Side community and the Hispanic/Latino population in Minnesota. Stop by to view a collection of historic photos representing the West Side neighborhood.
10. National Latino Peace Officers Association 5K Menudo Run and 1-Mile Family Walk/Run, (Saturday, 9 a.m.) – Warm up for the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on Saturday morning at the Eight Annual 5K Menudo Run and 1-Mile Family Walk/Run. Day of registration for the race begins at 8 a.m. at Joseph's Grill, 140 S. Wabasha St. Start time for the 5K and 1-Mile Family Walk/Run at 9 a.m. The race course follows the Mississippi River and turns back in to run along the parade route on Cesar Chavez, Awards will be presented to the top 5K male and female finishers in these categories: 19 & younger, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & older. The race is organized by the National Latino Peace Officers Association MN Chapter in partnership with REDA. Participants may preregister at www.mnlpoa.org/index.html.
FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE SATURDAY
For the best directions to District del Sol, information on event parking and details about the free shuttle service, visit the 2011 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta website at www.districtdelsol.com/cinco.html and click on “Plan your Cinco Trip.”
HISTORY OF CINCO DE MAYO
The Cinco de Mayo holiday does not celebrate Mexican Independence Day, as many people believe. It marks the anniversary of Mexico's “Battle of Puebla” in 1862, when a fledgling Mexican army defeated the larger, better-equipped invading French forces. Cinco de Mayo festivals throughout the United States honor this historic part of Mexican history and also celebrate Hispanic/Latino culture and tradition.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, please visit www.districtdelsol.com/cinco.html or contact REDA at 651-222-6347.
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