Updated-5/16/2021 with event pictures
Looking up Adams Street, mid-afternoon.
Our inaugural Cinco de Mayo Cultural Celebration took place in downtown Monte Vista on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed this special day. We will have more information and lots of great pictures coming soon.
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Local vendors, kids crafts & activities, a bounce house, great food, a beer garden and more were all located on the 100 block of Adams Street. The car show was on the 200 block of Adams Street.
Alpine Achievers Initiative 
Monte Vista Kids Connection
There were various food trucks available as well as local eating establishments, including:
- Gosar Natural Foods
- The Colorado Grill
- The Colorado Farm Brewery
- Rain Brews
- Quincys Steak & Spirits
- Nino’s Mexican Restaurant
Rico’s Catering 
CO Farm Brewery 
CO Grill 
Gosar Sausage 
Angelicas Dreamcicles
Many of our local businesses offered specials throughout the day. Rainbow’s End Thrift Store had a sidewalk sale. Rain Brews offered an enchilada casserole with rice & beans special. FaeMoon Wolf Designs offered 5% off to local SLV shoppers, on non-consignment items.
San Luis Valley Broadcasting (KSLV Radio) provided music to start the day. Later on, local DJ Pete Garcia took over and played music up to the time we shut down. Special thanks to Bob Richards of KSLV and Pete Garcia for hooking us up with music for the event.
The San Luis Valley Amateur Radio Association set up in front of Southern Colorado Computer Supply and provided communications support throughout the day.
Shane Burris of Burris & Sons Bucking Bulls made a special appearance with several live bulls.
A Blessing of the Bikes took place at 5:00PM. Thanks to Pastor Bob Galey of Calvary Baptist Church for arranging this.
The Vali 3 Theater opened around 5:00PM with popcorn and concessions. At 7:00PM they showed the movie, Selena. Admission was by donation only. Special thanks for the Vali 3 Theater for doing this!
All of the vendor booth spots were sold out! There was an amazing variety of locally crafted items available. Thank you to all of our vendors for participating.
Awesome trophy plaques were awarded for the top 3 entries in the parade. Even the car show entrants participated, which made for an awesome finish to the parade.
The parade started at 6:30PM in the parking of Stars & Strikes. It proceeded west on 2nd Ave. Local author and announcer L. Roy Aiken engaged the audience while he talked about all the entrants and the winners as they passed by.
Attendees to the celebration were able to vote for their favorite cars. The trophy plaques looked amazing and were awarded to the winners. All of the trophies were graciously donated by Rocky Mountain Memorabilia.
EVENT SPONSORS INCLUDED:
Other Special Thanks To:
- Cynthia Aiken for her awesome graphics and painting work.
- Renshaw Locksmith Service for sponsoring the Portable Toilets.
- Valley Communications for providing the PA System for the parade. Thanks Cliff!
Our sponsors are amazing people and we couldn’t have done this without them. Please help support these fine businesses here in the San Luis Valley and tell them Thank You.
Again, thank you for coming out, enjoying the day and helping us celebrate Monte Vista’s wonderful Hispanic Culture and Heritage. YES, we are already planning for 2022 and hope to see you there.
*Pictures courtesy of The OptiMystics CAN. Logos are property of the appropriate business/organization and used by permission. Graphics courtesy of artist Cynthia Aiken.