Cinco De Mayo Festival Monte Vista CO

Saturday, May 4, 2024 is the day to celebrate Monte Vista’s fourth annual Cinco de Mayo Street Festival. Mark it on your calendar as this is the downtown event you don’t want to miss.

This year’s festivities will include a car show, Chihuahua & Small Breed Races, local craft vendors, beer, a DJ, great food, a Canine Costume Contest, local group demonstrations, a bounce house, cultural talks, and live music from the Uz Band to wrap up the afternoon. It’s going to be an awesome day to be in downtown Monte Vista.

What Is Cinco de Mayo?

“Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day…is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.” (*1) Click her for additional information on Cinco de Mayo, the Battle of Puebla, and more.

Vendor Information:

All food vendors are required to have their proper 2024 registration in with Regional Public Health Department’s Environmental Health Program. Click Here for more information on the program and how to get registered. Please be aware that the Program Manager will probably be on site, checking for your registration.

Additionally, all vendors (craft and food) are required to have a current “Vendor Registration Form for Events” on file with the City of Monte Vista. This form is included in the vendor form packet. You can also Click Here to download the form. Please return this form to the City of Monte Vista, not to us. Be aware that the City of Monte Vista may be on scene this year, checking to make sure your form is on file.

Click Here to download your vendor registration form. Only pages 1 and 3 need to be returned to us, along with your booth donation. Forms may be dropped off this week at Muddy Paws Doggie Wash, 129 Adams Street.

The Car Show:

The Car Show is in a new location this year, the parking lot of Stars & Strikes Bowling Alley. And back by popular demand, People’s Choice will determine the winners again this year. Tickets will be available for a small donation, so attendees can vote for their favorite vehicles. First, second & third place vehicles will receive a special plaque, plus a cash prize of $150 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place and $50 for 3rd place. The special plaques are being sponsored once again this year by Lyn Bogle of Rocky Mountain Memorabilia.

This year the Car Show is being sponsored by Stars & Strikes Bowling Alley, 1020 2nd Avenue. Special thanks to Starla and her crew for sponsoring the car show in their parking lot.

There will be a drive through to the Home Lake Veteran’s Center, at 2:00PM. We’ve done this several times and our local veterans really enjoy seeing all the great looking vehicles. Car shows entrants interested in participating will receive a police escort out to Home Lake. All cars will need to return to the Bowling Alley afterwards, if they are participating in the People’s Choice Awards, that will take place at 4PM.

Click Here to download the car show registration form.

Entertainment:

The LOR Foundation (Monte Vista, CO) is the exclusive sponsor for all of the musical entertainment this year. Hats Off to Ivette Attencio, our local Community Officer & the LOR Foundation for their sponsorship.

Performances & special events are scheduled to take place every hour. Some will be in the intersection of Adams St and 2nd Avenue, others in various festival locations. See the Entertainment Schedule below for more. We have 2 spots left so if you’re part of a group that would like to perform, please contact us for more information.

Returning once again this year to provide musical entertainment is the ever popular DJ Petey Garcia. He will be playing your favorite Cinco de Mayo tunes until 3PM.

At 3PM, the Uz Band from Taos, New Mexico will take over to wrap up the event until 6PM. The Uz Band is a 4 piece eclectic, award winning variety band from Taos, NM. We’re ecstatic to welcome them to our festival this year.

Hall’s Way Escape Room Adventures will be on hand again this year. If you’ve never tried their unique, exclusive to The Valley escape room, this will be your chance.

Starting at 1PM, attendees will have an opportunity to try their hand at Cornhole, complements of the City of Monte Vista Recreations Department. Thank you Dervin Taylor for making this possible.

Stop by The Novel Nomads booth to find out more about this American Tribal Fusion style belly dance troupe from the SLV. Plus, they’ll be putting on a demonstration at 5PM.

The San Luis Valley Amateur Radio Association (SARA) will be setting up in front of Southern Colorado Computer Services and demonstrating their emergency communications capabilities throughout the day. Under the call sign K0SLV, they’ll also be promoting promoted our Cinco de Mayo event and talking to other amateur radio operators about it, around the world.

Smoky Bear will be making an appearance again this year, along with the US Forest Service.

Bob Richards of 96.5 The Fox FM will be doing a live remote in front of the Vali 3 Theater during the day, telling listeners throughout the San Luis Valley about the event.

Bob Richards also interviewed The OptiMystics recently, and that Valley Views program will be airing this Sunday, April 28th as follows:

• KSLV. 96.5 FM, The Fox. 7:15AM.
• KYDN. 95.3 FM, Country. 7:30AM.
• KBGV. 1240 AM & 101.3 FM. Sports Talk. 2:30PM.

And since it is May the Fourth, there will also be a special matinee showing of Star Wars The Phantom Menace. The movie will start at 3:20PM in the Vali 3 Theater.

While not officially a part of Cinco de Mayo, Ms. Kais Academy of Performing Arts will be hosting two performances this weekend. On Friday and Saturday evening at 6:30PM, you can catch their rendition of Toy Story at Bill Metz Elementary School. Doors open at 5PM each evening.

And the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area will be hosting their annual Cinco de Mayo Block Party on Friday, May 3rd, from 5PM until 10PM on San Juan Avenue in Alamosa.

Entertainment Schedule:

Chihuahua & Small Breed Races:

The Chihuahua & Small Breed Races are a new addition to the festivities this year and are being sponsored by The Pivot Public House, 201 Jefferson St. The races will commence at 12:00PM on 2nd Ave, in front of The Pivot Public House. Dogs 12 pounds and under are eligible to enter the races. Special thanks to Justin & Danielle for all their help and sponsorship of this unique and fun event.

Click here to download the entry form, which contains all of the rules and other details. Forms and your entry donation may be dropped off at The Pivot Public House or mailed to The OptiMystics, PO Box 101, Monte Vista, CO 81144. You may also register on Saturday morning, before the races begin. Please see all of the information on the form for details.

Events subject to change without notice. please visit event page for up to date information.