Reflections on Detroit's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

The Detroit celebration of Cinco de Mayo
has become much more
than a comemoration of The Battle of Puebla.
It has become a celebration of Ethnic heritage.

It saddens me that Detroit newspapers
aren’t covering the event
As extensively as they could,
detailing some of many marvelous things
that go on during festival weekend.
That, my friends,
is one of the original reasons
I created this blog over a year ago.

Our youth are very much involved in this event.
Raices Mexicanas and Así Es Mi Tierra
are Ballet Folkoricos
comprised of Detroit area youth.
They are as dedicated to the art of dancing
as many suburban youth are to football,
and perhaps even more so.
The Cinco de Mayo event
also featured dancers from Compás.
Parents and grandparents
are heavily involved with these young dance artists.
Some of these parents and grandparents
stitch, sew and create the dance costumes themselves,
demonstrating a love for their child
and a love for the art of Mexican Ballet Folklorico.

And yet,
I received comments on our Cinco de Mayo website
from those afraid of gang violence.
Personally,
I am more afraid
of not giving our precious youth
a venue and an event
to showcase their talent
and their ethnic pride.
Personally,
I have a greater fear
of not giving our youth
an opportunity to give something back
to the community that created them.

And let’s not forget
Ronald McDonald
who entertained the children on the lawn.
Clark Park:
A place for children to playfully enjoy
the antics of The Clown Dressed in Yellow.

The Cinco de Mayo event
also featured El Mariachi Nuevo Zapopan.
These professional musicians,
also dedicated to their art,
have been gracing the Detroit area
with their talent for many years.
The trumpet starts “El Son de la Negra”
and one can’t help but to be moved to a certain joy
and a certain pride.
I, for one,
appreciate that these talented musicians
carry on this artistic tradition of Mariachi.
And I am proud
that this group hails from Detroit.

Crafters filled the park
with their handiwork. . .
. . . local people
displaying
local arts and crafts. . .
What better way
to celebrate the great creativity
that is so often hidden from public view???

And for those whose entertainment preferences
are more on the classical side,
There was
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra Youth Ensemble.
Again,
young people
sharing their gifts and talents
with the people of the community.
Classical, professional and extremely talented:
That’s the only way I can describe
these wonderful young musicians.
Thank You, DSO Youth,
for gracing Clark Park
during the annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.

And the parade. . .
. . children from area schools,
marching bands, Charros on horseback,
The Lowriders,
Community leaders, . . .
. . Flags, Fun and Fiesta
all rolled into one. . .
that describes our parade.

And let’s not forget the Fun Run.
Yes,
Detroit’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
even had something for runners
end walkers,
a way for the athletic to get involved.

And Revolucha de Mayo. .
. . this was their second year with us. . .
entertaining fiesta attendees
with their unique form
of professional wrestling.

I read a few comments on other blogs
stating that this event should have been canceled
due to the fear swine flu.
However, what these fail to realize
is that several nurses where, in fact,
In the park taking blood pressure,
checking blood sugar,
and passing out
much needed
important information
to the community.
These nurses made themselves available.
Kudos to these dedicated health care professionals.
Education conquers fear
each and every time.

The Mexican Patriotic Committee of Detroit
has done a great job
in helping to instill
a certain ethnic pride,
not only to those of Mexican background,
but to Latinos in general.
Clark Park abounded with flags.
I saw more than just the Mexican flag
grace the park.
I saw flags from
Puerto Rico, El Salvador,
Columbia, Venezuela, Guatemala,
Nicaragua, Ecuador, . . .
. . .and of course, Old Glory Herself.
This only goes to show
that the MPC of Detroit
is doing the job her members committed to,
and so much more.

There will always be the “nay sayers” among us,
those who fear the swine flu,
those who fear gang violence.
And, I suppose,
there will always be news folk
who prefer to cover the dismal
as opposed to the marvelous.

And so,
with this blog
I state
that fear will not win.
With this blog
I will write about
Detroit’s Cinco de Mayo Event
even if
(and perhaps, because)
local news people don’t.

Thank you to Festival Sponsors.
Thank you to Fiesta Attendees.
And Thank You
to The Mexican Patriotic Committee of Detroit.

God Bless Detroit.
And Diosito,
Please remember Clark Park
and the Southwest Side
In a very special way!

Que Así Sea.

A few more pictures of last year's parade!

Just in case you aren't sure
that you want to make it to the parade,
I thought I'd post a few photos
of last year's
Cinco de Mayo Parade.

Surely these will inspire you
to come on down to W. Vernor
and enjoy the event!

Asi Es Mi Tierra Ballet Folklorico

Mexican Flag and Flowers

El Geek Squad and the Best Buy Hombre.

Chass

Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation

A Car in the Parade

Arranda's Tires

Diamond Communication (Festival Sponsor 2008)

Just Driving Down Scotten

Revolucha!

The Revolucha is Today!

The Revolucha starts at 3:00p.m.

But if you miss the Revolucha,
not to worry.

There will be another Revolucha at 6:00p.m.!

That's right.
Show times for Revolucha de Mayo
are today at 3:00p.m. and again at 6:00p.m.

The Revolucha tent
is on the Scotten side of Clark Park
Across the street from the High School.

See at Detroit's 2009 Cinco Mayo Fiesta!

Parade! Parade! Parade!

Detroit's Great
Cinco de Mayo Parade
is set for today!

Parade time: 12:00p.m. (Noon)
Parade Route: Patton Park to Clark Park
(Down W. Vernor)

Horses, Lowriders,
Bands and Banda,
Community Leaders. . .
And so much more!

This great event only happens once a year, folks!
You don't want to miss this!

See you at Detroit's
Cinco de Mayo Parade!
And then. . .
. . .I'll see at the fiesta in Clark Park!

- - - - - - - -
about the photo:
A Boy with a Mexican Flag
and another person (in background) wearing Boricua Colors.
Taken at parade route finish
(Scotten at Clark),
Detroit Cinco de Mayo Parade 2008.

Festival Preparations

The countdown is on!
In just a few hours,
Clark Park will be The Place to be
to celebrate!

The park was all abuzz yesterday
with some of the vendors setting up
and some of the kitchens
getting their preliminary set-up done.

The Revolucha de Mayo tent
was already set up when I arrived at 4:00p.m.
And it looks like the beer and tequila
are ready, too!

All that's missing is you!

Come join the festivities
as Detroit celebrates
Mexican heritage with all the fixins'!

. . .Mariachi, Ballet Folklorico,
Taquitos, Cascarones,
The Frank Solano Band. . .

Check the Entertainment Schedule
for details.
And we have two stages this year too!

See you at Clark Park
For Detroit's 2009
Cinco de Mayo
Festival, Parade and Fun Run!

Gracias!

The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in Detroit
at the one and only
beautiful Clark Park
is only hours away!

And you know,
an event of this magnitude
would not be possible
if it weren't for our sponsors.
And so,
we thank them from the bottom of our hearts!

State Farm Insurance

Ambassador Bridge

WSDS La Explosiva 1480AM

Metro PCS

Blue Cross Blue Shield

NuestroDetroit.com

La Jornada Latina

El Central

Tequila Cuatro Cirios

Sam's Club

¡Gracias Amigos!
¡Estamos muy agradecidos!

See you in Clark Park at
Detroit's 2009 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!

Fiesta Time 2009!

It's Here!
Only one day away!

The Cinco de Mayo Event
held in Detroit's Clark Park
proves to be an event the whole family can enjoy
every year!

Everything from Mariachi
to Ballet Folklorico;
Detroit Symphony Youth Ensemble
to Revolucha de Mayo;
Crafters;
Cascarones:
Community Leaders;
Fun Run, Parade,
Good Food,
Good Music. . .
(don't forget to check out
the entertainment schedule!!!)
Who could ask for anything more????

Do join us this weekend,
from 12:00noon until 8:00p.m.
on Saturday and Sunday
At Detroit's Clark Park!