Music, food and cars are the heart of Sunday’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta celebrating Mexican culture.
Attended last year by over 2,000 people, the celebration is free and lasts from 1 p.m. — 5:30 p.m. The entertainment line-up includes Mariachi Estrella de Jalisco, a 10 piece salsa band called Bomba Chante and ballet folklorico dancers. Maria Elena Gaitan, an award-winning performance artist, will recount the history of Cinco de Mayo as the mistress of ceremony.
The festival also features children’s Mexican arts and crafts and carnival games. Mexican food including tamales, tacos and enchiladas will be served along with Jamba Juice drinks and hot dogs from Earlez Grill.
Classic cars, vintage cars, muscle cars, low riders, trucks and other specialty vehicles will be showcased at the Classic Car show, sponsored by the Pico Improvement Organization, organized by Andrew Gomez and supported by Biar’s Keystone Bodyshop and Pacific Motors. Car show exhibitors will compete for the Mayor’s Choice Trophy judged by Santa Monica Mayor Ken Genser and for the Chief’s Trophy, judged by SMPD’s Chief Timothy Jackman and SMFD’s Chief Jim Hone. Trophies will also be awarded for best in class in several categories.
Virginia Park is located on the northwest corner of Pico and Cloverfield boulevards. Free parking is located at Santa Monica College in Structure A at the corner of Pico and 17th Street.
