Saturday, May 4, 2024 was the day to celebrate Monte Vista’s fourth annual Cinco de Mayo Street Festival. Despite the brief rain shower mid-afternoon, a grand time was had by all.
This year’s festivities included 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.
This year, proceeds from our event will be donated to the Monte Vista Emergency Food Bank!
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.
The Car Show:
This year the Car Show was 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. We had a total of 22 entries this year.
Back by popular demand, People’s Choice determined the winners again this year. First, second & third place vehicles received a special plaque, plus a cash prize of $150 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place and $50 for 3rd place. The special plaques were sponsored once again this year by Lyn Bogle of Rocky Mountain Memorabilia. Thanks Lyn, they looked great, as always!
There was als 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.
Entertainment:
The LOR Foundation (Monte Vista, CO) was 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 took place every hour. Returning once again this year to provide musical entertainment was the ever popular DJ Petey Garcia. He played your favorite Cinco de Mayo tunes until 3PM.
At 3PM, the Uz Band from Taos, New Mexico took over to wrap up the event until 6PM. The Uz Band is a 4 piece eclectic, award winning variety band from Taos, NM. We were quite happy to welcome The Uz Band this year.
Hall’s Way Escape Room Adventures was on hand again this year.
The Monte Vista Youth Cheerleaders put on a rousing performance at 1PM, surrounded by local spectators.
Starting at 1PM, attendees had 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.
The Novel Nomads put on a wonderful demonstration at 5PM.
Smoky Bear made an appearance again this year, along with the US Forest Service.
Bob Richards of KSLV Radio interviewed The OptiMystics recently, about the festival. Click here to listen to that interview.
And since it was May the Fourth, there was a special matinee showing of Star Wars The Phantom Menace. The movie started at 3:30PM in the Vali 3 Theater. Many fans showed up in a Star Wars costume, and received free admission to the movie.
Entertainment Schedule:
| SPECIAL EVENT | TIME | LOCATION |
| Festival & Car Show Starts. Music by DJ Pete Garcia | 10AM | Festival Area |
| Canine Costume Contest | 11AM | Adams St |
| Chihuahua & Small Breed Races | 12PM | 2nd Ave-East |
| Monte Vista Youth Cheerleaders Demonstration | 1PM | Adams & 2nd |
| Cornhole Open Play Starts | 1PM | Adams St. |
| Cultural Presentations | 2PM | Vali 3 Theater |
| Car Show Drive Through Home Lake | 2PM | Home Lake |
| Live Music Starts – The Uz Band | 3PM | Adams & 2nd |
| Star Wars The Phantom Menace-Special Matinee | 3:30PM | Vali 3 Theater |
| Car Show People’s Choice Awards | 4PM | Adams & 2nd |
| The Novel Nomads Demonstration | 5PM | Adams & 2nd |
| Festival Ends | 6PM | Festival Area |
Event Layout/Map:
Click here to download a .png file of the event map.
Click here to download a .pdf file of the event map.
Maps were also be available in retail stores downtown.
Chihuahua & Small Breed Races:
The Chihuahua & Small Breed Races were a new addition to the festivities this year and were sponsored by The Pivot Public House, 201 Jefferson St. The races commenced at 12:00PM on 2nd Ave, in front of The Pivot Public House. Dogs 12 pounds and under were eligible to enter the races. Special thanks to Justin & Danielle for all their help and sponsorship of this unique and fun event.
All entry fees were donated to the Upper Rio Grande Animal Shelter/Conour Animal Shelter. Additionally The Pivot Public House matched the entry fees and donated it to the Conour Animal Shelter, for a total of $380.00.
Canine Costume Contest:
A Canine Costume Contest was held at 11AM on Adams Street. Host & Sponsor for the contest was Muddy Paws Doggie Wash, at 129 Adams St. The theme for the Canine Costume Contest was Cinco de Mayo related and entrants dressed up as well. Prizes for the best dressed dogs in Cinco de Mayo apparel were given out in 3 size categories.
All entry fees will be donated to the Monte Vista Community Ambulance Service. They were also on hand that day.
Special thanks to Jana Swanson and Muddy Paws Doggie Wash for hosting this contest.
Cultural Talks:
Special cultural talk by El Llamado Hispano were held from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, in the Vali 3 Theater and featured music, dance, and acting that explored the rich history and significance of Cinco de Mayo.
Their delicious Cafe de Olla is available for tasting and purchase at Bobolicious Coffee, inside the Vali 3 Theater lobby.
Special thanks to everyone with El Llamado Hispano for putting on the cultural talks and Richard Jaramillo of Mountain Valley Medicare for coordinating this part of the festival.
Event Security:
Security for Cinco de Mayo this year was provided by High Point Security. Sponsorship for their services was kindly provided by Rock Creek Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.
Food & Drink Vendors:
Craft & Other Vendors:
Conour Animal Shelter
(Booth sponsored by Sunflower Bank)
Monte Vista Emergency Food Bank
(Booth Sponsored by The OptiMystics)
Jubilation
Rock Creek Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Monte Vista Youth Cheerleaders
(Booth sponsored by the LOR Foundation)
Ribbons of Courage
(Booth sponsored by SLVREC/Ciello)
Linda’s Chili Connection
Dis N Dat Creations
Walking Thunder Woodworks
BZ Mom Boutique
Justyce’s All American
Handmade Pouches by Jerome
Hungry Troll
Crossroads of Color
Local Businesses:
Many of our local businesses offered specials throughout the day.
–Rain Brews, 104 Adams St opened at Noon and offered various drink specials throughout the day.
-Local artist Jennifer Graves created one of a kind paintings in her Pareidolia Gallery during the day, at 125 Adams St.
-Yours & Mine Variety Store, also known as DaisyGrace Boutique, 129 Adams St offered in store sale specials during the day. They also hosted the Canine Costume Contest at 11AM, in front of their store.
–Genesis Wellspring at 133 Adams St offered 10% off all herbs, essential oils, homeopathics and other special items.
-The Vali 3 Theater, 139 Adams St, was open and offered popcorn & concessions for sale. The theater also hosted the cultural talks that began at 2PM, and held a special matinee of Star Wars The Phantom Menace at 3:30PM.
–Bobolicious Coffee at 139 Adams St was open all day on Saturday and offered their wonderful, freshly roasted and ethically sourced specialty coffees. Conveniently located inside the Vali 3 Theater.
Not only did Get Crafty at 148 Adams St offer in store specials, but they celebrated their retail stores 1-Year Anniversary.
Event Sponsors:
We Love Our Sponsors! The OptiMystics are deeply indebted to and very thankful for all of our wonderful sponsors. It is through their acts of generosity and support, that make events like this possible in the first place.
Any time you happen to run into any of our valued sponsors, please thank them too. Local businesses & organizations supporting local events…it just doesn’t get any better!
The LOR Foundation (Monte Vista)
Music Sponsor
Stars & Strikes Bowling Alley
Car Show Sponsor
The Pivot Public House
Chihuahua & Small Breed Race Sponsor
Muddy Paws Doggie Wash
Canine Costume Contest Sponsor
San Luis Valley Health
Comfort Stations Sponsor
Rock Creek Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Security Sponsor
CO Farm Bureau Insurance (Monte Vista)
Event Insurance Sponsor
Mountain Valley Medicare
Cultural Talks Organizer
Garry Doyon Trucking, LLC
Gerald & Debbie Palmgren
- Click Here to see our 2023 Cinco de Mayo event.
- Click Here to see our 2022 Cinco de Mayo event.
- Click Here to see our 2021 Cinco de Mayo event.
- Click Here to read the 2023 article in the Monte Vista Journal.
- Click Here to read the 2022 article in the Monte Vista Journal.
More pictures from this year’s event.
Join our Facebook Group to stay up to date on all of our plans, meetings, efforts and more.
Pictures courtesy of The OptiMystics CAN, Freepik and/or Pixabay (use governed by Pixabay License). Logos are property of the appropriate business/organization and used by permission.
(*1). The History Channel (A&E Entertainment). https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo.