MONTE VISTA - For the past couple of years, Monte Vista’s Cinco de Mayo Street Festival has rocked the town, with music, a car show, food trucks and vendors. 

The fifth annual Cinco de Mayo Festival is set for Saturday, May 3, from 12 to 5 p.m. on Adams Street in downtown Monte Vista. It was started by the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network, who decided not to do it this year leaving the event’s future uncertain. 

Sandra Marquez and Terry Carroll have stepped up and are organizing the event this year with the help of volunteers.  

Marquez and Carroll spoke about the event, and what attendees can expect this year. Carroll said, “Our focus here was to keep Cinco de Mayo going. We didn’t want to see Cinco de Mayo just go by the wayside until next year. The former organizers bowed out a little late in the game, so we wished we would have had more time to organize this, but we wanted to keep the tradition alive so that’s what we are trying to do this year.” 

Carroll said that everything has come together nicely. “We have good sponsorship. We have a lot of vendors and a lot of good entertainment too.” 

Marquez spoke about the event being a little shorter than years before. “It is a shorter timeframe than last year; it will be from noon to 5 p.m. The shorter timeframe is due to the organization time, but we are hoping that people will still attend and have fun and enjoy themselves. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”  

Marquez said that there is going to be a mechanical bull, and an escape room and there will be a live band on the stage. “We will also be having giveaways; we are hoping more local businesses will participate in this too. We are also still looking for volunteers. We want to make this as big and exciting as possible for everyone.” 

Marquez also said that Colorado Farm Brewery would be selling beer at the festival. 

Both mentioned that many businesses downtown will also have specials for Cinco de Mayo, and it will be a wonderful time for businesses to showcase themselves for the day.  

Carroll said she is hoping to open the stage up for some open mic opportunities to keep things flowing. She said Kevin Hernandez, who is involved with helping with events for The Church Project, will be helping them with entertainment.  

Carroll said the car show “will be held in the parking lot of Stars and Strikes. It might be a nice walk for people from Adams Street to the car show.” 

Both agreed that they are focusing on enhancing the community of Monte Vista and reminding everyone of the importance of Cinco de Mayo. 

Marquez said, “Most people don’t know the history behind the actual event. Some people think it’s just a fiesta and day to drink and party and it definitely is, but there was also a victory that day in the Battle of Puebla. It was a victory for Mexico.”  

Carroll and Marquez thanked their sponsors including the LOR Foundation, CHFA, Spencer Architecture Studio, High Peak Rentals, SLV Rec/Ciello, and Jacqueline Mascarenas for her car show prize sponsorship.  

The event is being held under the non-profit umbrella of Genesis Connection Ltd. Carroll and Marquez are still accepting donations for giveaways at the event, and there are still some 10-by-10 vendor spaces available at the event, along with the need for more volunteers. For more information, contact Carroll or Marquez at 719-490-8840 or 719-588-7879.