CincoDeMayoDetroit

Southwest Detroit Cinco de Mayo 2013 is Almost Here!

2013-04-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
is coming!

The Fiesta is coming!

The Cinco de Mayo Festival
will be held on 21st street
between Bagley and W. Vernor.

Saturday, May 4th 1:00p.m. - 8:30p.m.
Sunday, May 5th 1:00pm.m. - 8:00p.m.

The Cinco de Mayo parade is set for
Sunday, May 5th
and will start at 12:00p.m.
The Parade will start at Woodmere at Vernor
and will end at Scotten and Vernor.

Dancers, Music, Authentic Mexican Food, Mexican Artisans and more!

You don't want to miss it!

And don't forget about the 7th Annual
Cinco de Mayo Fun Run!
You'll find details about that event here.

See you there!

Mexicans in Black

2011-05-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

OK.
Now I'm having fun!
Yeah, maybe the Cinco de Mayo event in Detroit
ain't what it used to be.
But that doesn't mean
we can celebrate our Mexican humor!

This "Mexicans in Black" t-shirt
is made from 6.1 oz, pre-shrunk 100% cotton.
It wears well on anyone.
Plus it's double-needle stitched at the bottom
and at the sleeve hems for extra durability.

Click on the image to order your
"Mexicans in Black" t-shirt!!!

The Official Mexican In Black Shirt by nopal62

Aztec Calendar Necklace

2011-05-26T03:52:00.000-07:00

. . .an aztec calendar necklace.
just thought this was an interesting piece
worthy of posting. .
also comes in a square medal.
This Aztec Calendar necklace is round and is Sterling Silver Plate.
The Sterling silver plate chain is 18" with 3" extender
with a lobster claw clasp.
This Aztec Calendar Necklace will arrive in a special black felt bag.
It is UV resistant, waterproof,
and has a glossy coating.
The Aztec Calendar charm measures 1.44 inches.
The chain measures 18 inch with 3 inch extender.

Just CLICK on the image to order!

Ancient Mayan Sun Calendar Art Round Necklace by RavenSpiritPrints
See more photo necklaces

Is this blog dead?

2011-05-23T05:40:00.000-07:00

Well,
the Cinco de Mayo has come and gone
for the city of Detroit.

I originally created this blog
to be of assistance
to those who were seeking information
on the festivities
sponsored by the Comite Patriotico Mexicano of Detroit.
I so wanted to be a part of that organization
and do all I could
to help PR the City's events.

But,
as things would have it,
the event got smaller and smaller.
The Comite, for whatever reason,
really wasn't very receptive to my ideas.
And let's face it.
The event in Detroit
became less and less safe.
I'm a pretty positive person
and I do believe the event
could have been bigger and better
and safer,
but it would have required a lot of work
and a lot of people,
which I was willing to recruit.
But the Comite stopped sending me info altogether.
Why is that?
I mean,
a group of folks complain
that there isn't enough help.
Help arrives
but is pushed away.
Alas,
I guess my work to try and save this event,
to try to make it better and safer,
was just not meant to be.

I guess a part of me was being nostalgic.
You see,
my father was not only a member of this organization,
he was also a past president.

There is a much smaller Cinco de Mayo event
held in the City where I live.
I've already made contact
with the person who is in charge of that event,
and I may very well
work with that committee
for Cinco de Mayo 2012.

In any event,
I will keep this blog open and alive.
For now,
I will just post random anything
that is cultural,
anything that supports and celebrates
the Mexican Heritage.

Cinco de Mayo 2010

2010-03-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

Information regarding The City of Detroit's 2010
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, usually held in Clark Park,
and the Parade, usually down W. Vernor,
sponsored by Detroit's Mexican Patriotic Committee
is not available at this time.

The Committee
did mail some information to me
regarding possible changes in fees,
but have not sent completed updates,
Schedule, etc.

As I am not meeting with the
Mexican Patriotic Committee this year
I do not have information at this time.

As soon as I hear any update at all
I will be sure to post here
as well as at CincoDeMayoDetroit.com (the website).

If I don't know of updates by the end of March,
I will remove the website.
I built it in good faith last year,
with hopes of encouraging membership
to the Committee
as well as really PRing the event,
but it has been a real struggle
trying to get updates and information.
Although I will remove the website by the end of March,
I will keep this blog up,
just in case there is information
that could help fiesta go-ers
and parade attendees.
Or maybe there is a vendor out there
who wants to participate
or someone wants a place in the parade.
But as of now,
there is no information to post.

If anyone needs more information
please contact
The Mexican Patriotic Committee.

Privacy

2009-11-14T06:03:00.000-08:00

At Cinco de Mayo Detroit, we recognize that the privacy of your personal information is very important.

We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (NOT including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.

Reflections on Detroit's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

2009-05-05T12:59:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-05-03T02:20:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-05-03T02:14:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-05-03T02:04:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-02T02:08:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-05-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-05-01T03:52:00.000-07:00

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!

Quick Cinco de Mayo Facts

2009-04-29T04:36:00.000-07:00

Here are some facts for you
courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau:

Facts for features

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the legendary Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, in which a Mexican force of 4,500 men faced 6,000 well-trained French soldiers. The battle lasted four hours and ended in a victory for the Mexican army under Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza. Along with Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16, Cinco de Mayo has become a time to celebrate Mexican heritage and culture.

29.2 million
Number of U.S. residents of Mexican origin in 2007. These residents constituted 10 percent of the nation’s total population and 64 percent of the Hispanic population

18.25 million
Number of people of Mexican origin who lived either in California (10.97 million) or Texas (7.28 million). People of Mexican origin made up more than one-quarter of the residents of these two states.

25.8
Median age of people in the United States of Mexican descent. This compares with 36.7 years for the population as a whole.

609,000
Number of Mexican-Americans who are U.S. military veterans.

1.3 million
Number of people of Mexican descent 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher. This includes about 362,000 who have a graduate degree.

37%
Among households where a householder was of Mexican origin, the percentage of married-couple families with own children younger than 18. For all households, the corresponding percentage was 21 percent.

4.1
Average size for families with a householder of Mexican origin. This compares to 3.2 people in all families.

14%
Percentage of employed civilians 16 and older of Mexican heritage who worked in managerial, professional or related occupations. In addition, 24 percent worked in service occupations; 20 percent in sales and office occupations; 18 percent in construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations; and 19 percent in production, transportation and material moving occupations.

$39,742
Median household income in 2007 for households with a householder of Mexican origin.

22%
Poverty rate in 2007 for people of Mexican heritage.

68%
Percentage of civilians 16 and older of Mexican origin in the labor force. The percentage was 65 percent for the population as a whole. There were 13 million people of Mexican heritage in the labor force, comprising 9 percent of the total.

51%
Percentage of householders of Mexican origin who owned the home in which they lived.

- - - - - - - -

Don't forget to join us for
Detroit's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta,
Parade and Fun Run!

Revolucha de Mayo 2009

2009-04-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

It's Back!
Revolucha is back this year
to the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!

Revolucha returns to Clark Park
in Southwest Detroit for 2 days of Lucha Libre fun!

Show Times:

Saturday, May 2
A free all day fan fest

Sunday, May 3
Shows will start at 3:00 and 6:00.

Cinco de Mayo Fun Run

2009-04-27T13:20:00.000-07:00

Get your running shoes ready!
. . or your walking shoes, if you prefer!!!

8K Run and
One-Mile Run & Walk
Sunday-May 03, 2009-11:30 AM

Detroit Mexican Town
Clark Park
1500 Scotten
Detroit, MI 48209

awards for fun run will be presented on Sunday, May 3 at 1:00.m.

The Fun Run is just one more reason
Detroit's 2009 Cinco de Mayo Event
is great!

There's something here for everybody!

See at the fiesta!

For more information or to sign up click here!

Cinco de Mayo 2009 Entertainment Schedule

2009-04-24T10:58:00.001-07:00

Saturday - May 2, 2009

Main Stage

1:00p.m. - Banda Brisas del Encinal

2:00p.m. - Vybra Rock Band

3:30p.m. - Raices Mexicanas Ballet Folklorico

6:30p.m. - Condigo 7

Stage II

3:30p.m. - Antonio Bustos

4:30p.m. - Compas

6:00p.m. - Gilberto del Robles

7:30p.m. - D.J.Roach & D. J. Carlos

Sunday - May 3, 2009

12:00p.m. - Parade Begins
(Patton Park to Clark Park, down W. Vernor)

Main Stage

1:00p.m. - Fun Run Awards Presentations

2:00p.m. - Detroit Symphony Youth Ensemble

3:30p.m. - Asi Es Mi Tierra Ballet Folklorico

4:30p.m. - Mariachi Nuevo Zapopan

5:30p.m. - Los Carporales de la Sierra

7:00p.m. - Frank Solano Band

Stage II

3:00p.m. - Charrito

2:00p.m. - Vibra

4:30p.m. - Mariachi Nuevo Zapopan

6:30p.m. - Los Desconocidos Ruidosos

Revolucha de Mayo Show Times

May 2 - All day Fan fest

May 3 - 3:00p.m. & 6:00p.m.

Cinco de Mayo 2009

2009-04-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

It's coming!
Yes, less than one month away.
As always,
the Cinco de Mayo Event
will be held in Detroit's Clark Park
in Beautiful Southwest Detroit.

The Cinco de Mayo Festival this year
will be held on the first weekend of May.
That is, May 2nd and 3rd.
The festival runs from 12p.m. (noon)
until 8:00p.m. on both days.

The parade will be Sunday,
May 3rd, beginning at noon
and will proceed down W. Vernor Highway,
beginning at Patton Park and
finishing up at Clark Park.

Mariachi, Dancers, Arts & Crafts,
Ethnic Food. . .
. . and so much more!

Do join us for Detroit's 2009 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!

Oh. . and the video is from a previous Cinco de Mayo Event!

Colorful Music Makers

2008-08-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

This instrument is called a pan flute by many.

But by those at the Cinco de Mayo, we know this as a Zampoña.

There is always a lot of music

at the Cinco de Mayo Festival.

But the music isn't always coming from the stage area.

These are just a few of the many creative things

that many of the vendors were selling.

This colorful objects

are only a sample of the great handiworks

found at Detroit's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.

And the above is a photo of instruments for those who make music with rhythm!

See you at Detroit's Cinco de Mayo

Fiesta and Parade 2009!

A Few More Pics of a Few More Cars

2008-08-26T03:09:00.000-07:00

You know,
I took so-o-o-o-o many pics
at the Cinco de Mayo Parade.
It's just such a great time.
I honestly look forward to this event each year.
It's one of those things my father instilled in.
You know,
ethnic pride. . .
. . .pride in your cultural heritage.
My father also showed me
how to get involved
and just have fun in the communty!

And that's what I did with my cheap little
digital camera!

Some more photos of Detroit's Cinco de Mayo!
Enjoy!

Heres a photo of
a Boy wearing a Mexican Flag
and another person (in background) wearing Boricua Colors.

The Mexican Flag and Flowers

The Blue Bus: Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation

See at Detroit's Cinco de Mayo
Fiesta and Parade 2009!

El Geek Squad

2008-08-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

I can highly recommend El Geek Squad,
especially after hearing how tons and tons of credit cards
had their information breached.
I don’t know what sort of security measures
retailers have in place.
But I’m sure they must have something
to protect data processed by wireless.

I called on The Geek squad
when I needed to set up a wireless for my son’s Xbox.
Sure, we could’ve followed the directions and set it up ourselves.
But I’m just technical enough
to know that I’m not technical enough.
We needed security measures in place.
I didn’t want bandwidth bandits stealing, well. . .
. . .bandwidth. . .or anything else.
So, we called on El Geek Squad.

I mean,
you don’t leave your front door closed but unlocked
knowing you’ll be gone all day.
That’s just inviting trouble.
Same goes for your wireless.
It’s not only what could be stolen.
It’s what could be done.
What if someone did something
not so ethical or moral
while using your bandwidth?
You may find yourself in legal hot water.
Please, Protect Your Wireless.

I highly recommend El Geek Squad
for your wireless internet security set-up.

Not only do they do a great job,
but they support community events. .
. . .Like Detroit’s Cinco de Mayo Parade!

. . and don’t you just love those cute little cars?!?

Cinco de Mayo Low Riders

2008-05-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a short little video
taken at the end of the Cinco de Mayo
Parade Route in Detroit.

The parade winds down at Clark Park,
on the corner of Clark and Scotten.

It's just a snipet of some
of the Low Riders
that participated in the event.

Always a crowd favorite,
you can hear someone standing near me
shouting to the drivers,
"Rev it up!"

Enjoy!
See you at Detroit's Cinco de Mayo
Fiesta and Parade 2009!

El Mariachi Loco

2008-05-13T04:29:00.001-07:00

Now, what would a good fiesta be
without El Mariachi Loco?

And what better Mariachi band to perform
this favorite piece
than Salvador Torres?
Salvador Torres is the director
of the Mariachi in this video.
He's the trumpet player

Now, I don't know his name,
but everytime I see this Mariachi band
I love the way the guy on the end tips his head,
shows the top of his sombrero.
He definitely adds a bit of character to this Mariachi band.

The Cinco de Mayo fiesta
that was held in Detroit's Clark Park
abounded with musicians,
Mariachi in particular.

Hope you enjoyed yourself!

See you at Detroit's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Parade 2009!

Mariachi - El Son de la Negra

2008-05-09T03:10:00.000-07:00

Here's another Mariachi Band
that performed at Detroit's
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
recently held in Clark Park.

I don't know who this particular group is
nor where they are from.
I don't believe they are from Detroit
as I've never seen or heard them before.

Now, I just love the way this particular group
incorporates the dancer in Jalsico dress
for this song:
El Son de la Negra.

I know, I know.. .
the vocalist is off key. . .
but you know, it really doesn't matter.
There's just something about a Mariachi.
The moment that trumpet starts,
the Sangre in your veins just wakes up
and it's all good.

Enjoy!
El Son de la Negra.

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

Jalisco No Te Rajes

2008-05-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a little Youtube video
of Mariachi, Salvador Torres
(he's the trumpet player)
performing at Detroit's
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
recently held in Clark Park.

You know,
it's just not a fiesta until the Mariachi arrive!

¡Jalisco No Te Rajes!