GALLUP
Fiesta de Cinco de Mayo

By Independent Staff

GALLUP — This weekend’s 7th Annual Celebracion de Cinco de Mayo will feature the sounds, sights, and tastes of Mexican music, dance, and food.

Cinco de Mayo, a regional holiday from the Mexican state of Puebla, commemorates the May 5, 1862 victory of Mexican forces over the French in the Battle of Puebla.

With the growing influence of Hispanic culture in the United States, celebrating Cinco de Mayo has become increasingly popular north of the border, including Gallup.

The city’s annual event, which is sponsored by a number of Gallup businesses, will feature a Spanish dance on Friday night, a free outdoor music festival on Saturday afternoon, and a Spanish music concert on Saturday evening. Saturday’s afternoon festival will feature the ever-popular taco eating contest and a traditional Mexican dress contest for children. Scheduled events for Gallup’s Celebracion de Cinco de Mayo include:

Friday, May 2:

• Latin Music Dance: Albuquerque musician Jerry Dean and his band will play Latin, Spanish pop, and rock music for an adult dance from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Best Western Inn & Suites, 3009 W. Highway 66. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Gurley Motors, Comcast Cable, El Sombrero Restaurant, or Millennium Media.

Saturday, May 3:

• Celebracion de Cinco de Mayo: This outdoor music festival will be held in the parking lot at 3rd Street and Aztec Avenue from noon to 4 p.m. Entertainers will include award-winning mariachi singer Antonio Reyna, who is originally from Gallup; the singing group Mariachi Tepeyac; and the dance troupe Ballet Folklorico del Norte. Taco Bell will sponsor a taco eating contest at 2 p.m., and the traditional Mexican dress contest for children will be at 3 p.m. Vendor booths will also be featured. Admission is free.

• Mariachi Concert: Popular mariachi singer Nelson Martinez will perform with Los Primos in a 7 p.m. concert at El Morro Theatre, 207 W. Coal. In addition to his mariachi music, Martinez is known for his career as a television news anchor, news reporter, actor, and radio deejay. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at El Morro Theatre and Millennium Media.

Information:
— (505) 863-6851

GRANTS
La Fiesta de Colores

By Jim Tiffin

GRANTS — There are paintings, sculptures of all kinds, tin art, a procession, Mariachis, dancers, a special Catholic Mariachi Mass, singers and a Circle of Success.

It is without doubt the most colorful event of each year in Grants — La Fiesta de Colores — and it celebrates the centuries-old Hispanic culture in New Mexico.

The Fiesta itself is between 25-30 years old — no one really remembers the exact year it began — and throughout the decades, the event had grown, matured and changed with the times to include students from area schools who write essays about Hispanic culture and today has an “invitation only” art show that is the envy of similar events in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

The art show typically showcases the traditional Spanish Colonial period from about 400 years ago.

The Fiesta begins today and goes through Sunday (May 1-4). It is held inside the St. Teresa Community Center at St. Teresa’s Church, 400 E. High St., Grants. The schedule this year is:

Thursday, May 1

The burning of the straw man “Lumis” in Milan, a traditional event which has a larger than life schools created straw man which celebrates the beginning of the Fiesta at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, May 2

Art show opens at 1 p.m., and is only for elementary school and middle schools students. Some artists demonstrate their work.

The official opening of the event is from 6-9 p.m. It includes the crowning of a king and queen. The winners are selected from essays written by students depicting the history of he Hispanic culture.

The Circle of Success names local residents who have contributed greatly to the community. Mariachis and dancers also perform.

Saturday, May 3

A procession at 10 a.m., by the “King and Queen” of the event leads the day’s events. Those who wishes to honor their patron saints are invited to walk in the procession. The procession is open to anyone who wants to participate.

An “Oldies But Goodies Car Show” also begins at 10 a.m.

The procession begins at Riverwalk Park and proceeds to the center with the Fiesta ending at 9 p.m.

Sunday, May 4

The art show opens at 10 a.m., followed by a Mariachi Mass in the church. A silent auction with donated helps raise funds for the Fiesta. The Fiesta ends at noon.