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.
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.
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.
Vendor entry donations may also be paid via PayPal, here.
The Car Show:
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.
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. Thanks Lyn, they look great, as always!
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.
Car Show entry donations may also be paid via PayPal, here.
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:
| 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 |
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.
All entry fees will be donated to the Upper Rio Grande Animal Shelter/Conour Animal Shelter. Additionally The Pivot Public House will match any prize money donated to the Conour Animal Shelter, up to $175.
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.
Canine Costume Contest:
A Canine Costume Contest will be held at 11AM on Adams Street. Host & Sponsor for the contest is Muddy Paws Doggie Wash, at 129 Adams St. The theme for the Canine Costume Contest will be Cinco de Mayo related and entrants are encouraged to dress up as well. There will be prizes for the best dressed dogs in Cinco de Mayo apparel, in 3 size categories.
All entry fees will be donated to the Monte Vista Community Ambulance Service. We also expect the ambulance service to be on hand that day, so stop by and say Hi!
Click Here to download your entry form, which contains all of the rules and other details. Forms and your entry donation may be dropped off at Yours & Mine Variety Store / Muddy Paws Doggie Wash, at 129 Adams St, or mailed to The OptiMystics, PO Box 101, Monte Vista, CO 81144. You may also register on Saturday morning, before the costume contest begins. Please see all of the information on the form for details. Special thanks to Jana Swanson and Muddy Paws Doggie Wash for hosting this contest.
Event Security:
Security for Cinco de Mayo this year is being provided by High Point Security. Sponsorship for their services is kindly being provided by Rock Creek Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. They will also have a booth at the festival, so stop by to find out what they’re doing here in the SLV.
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
Local Businesses:
Many of our local businesses offer specials throughout the day. If you are offering a special and want to be listed here, please email us with the details. We’ll include your business and your special here, for free.
–Rain Brews, 104 Adams St will open at Noon and be offering various drink specials throughout the day.
-Local artist Jennifer Graves will creating 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 will be offering in store sale specials during the day. They are also hosting the Canine Costume Contest at 11AM, in front of their store.
-The Vali 3 Theater, 139 Adams St, will be open and offering popcorn & concessions for sale. The theater is also hosting the cultural talks beginning at 2PM, and a special matinee of Star Wars The Phantom Menace at 3:30PM.
–Bobolicious Coffee at 139 Adams St will be open all day on Saturday. Stop in and try some of their delicious, freshly roasted and ethically sourced specialty coffees. Conveniently located inside the Vali 3 Theater.
Not only will Get Crafty at 148 Adams St be offering in store specials, but they’ll also be celebrating their retail store 1-Year Anniversary. Stop in to say Congratulations to Michele and browse their wide selection of craft products.
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
Sanitation 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.
A few pictures from 2023.
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.