Cinco de Mayo Fiesta for Education set for May 4 on the Plaza

The spicy aromas of authentic Mexican food, the festive sounds of lively Mariachi music and the cheerful sight of colorful dancers on May 4, when La Luz Center presents the 18th annual Cinco De Mayo Fiesta for Education. The event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. in the historic Sonoma Plaza.
“We are proud to bring this family-friendly, alcohol-free fiesta to the public each year,” said Ellen LaBruce, executive director of La Luz Center, “and we are working to make this year the best ever.” Musical entertainment will include Mariachis, local bands playing Latino favorites and the presentation of the Cinco de Mayo children’s poster contest winners. Folkloric dancers will also be featured and local organizations will have booths with community information and activities for children.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, Mexico in 1862, not Mexican Independence. On this date a small determined band of citizens and soldiers temporarily halted the invasion by French forces of one of the world’s most powerful armies, led by Napoleon III. “The message conveyed to Mexico’s citizens was one of hope against all odds, a fitting inspiration for the thousands of Mexican-Americans who work every day to overcome the language and cultural barriers to success in the U.S.” said LaBruce. “The fiesta is both an opportunity to celebrate Sonoma’s Mexican ancestry and a fundraiser to provide college scholarships to high school graduates who began their schooling as English language learners.”
The winning poster announcing the fiesta captures the event’s celebratory nature with an image of musicians playing on stage while a dancing couple swirls to the music.
Lauren Johnson, a third grader at El Verano Elementary School, submitted the artwork to La Luz Center’s annual poster contest. She will receive a framed copy of the poster, designed by Lynn Ross Graphic Design, a gift certificate from Readers’ Books and other gifts. She as well as the poster contest runners up will be presented with awards during the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at 2 p.m. in the Grinstead Amphitheater.
“Lauren’s painting is full of movement and color – conveying the feel we wanted for our fiesta,” said LaBruce. “The children’s poster contest is a great way to get kids involved in Cinco, in which we celebrate our valley’s Mexican heritage and raise money for college scholarships. This year we have all new activities for children at this family event.
There will be a costume contest with prizes for the most authentic Mexican outfits, face painting, candle making, a treasure hunt and other games.”
Six runners-up in the poster contest were Sofia Vitale and Maddie Cashel from Flowery; Creighton Rochlin from Sonoma Charter; Kerstin Steiger from Prestwood; Alonzo Carrillo from Dunbar; and Sydney Shopoff from Woodland Star Charter School. There were also two honorable mentions: Paige Knef from Prestwood and Rachel Shopoff from Woodland Star Charter School. These students will receive a special printing of their artwork and a set of note cards that display their paintings. Posters and note cards will be on sale in the Plaza during the day of the Fiesta at the La Luz Booth.
All contest entries will be displayed in the children’s section of the Sonoma Valley Regional Library at 755 W. Napa St. from April 28 through May 30.
For more information about Cinco de Mayo, or about La Luz Center and its services, call the office at 707.938.5131, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.