Great Bend’s Cinco de Mayo festival will start with a parade down Main Street at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3. The celebration will continue in Jack Kilby Square until 6 p.m.
Throughout the day, there will be music, authentic Mexican food, vendors, dancing and a beer garden.
Scheduled entertainment includes the band T3rcia de Ases and D-Julian Sound and Lights from Garden City, featuring “high quality sound with the latest technology,” including LED robots. T3cia de Ases plays at all types of events, mainly in Kansas, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Nebraska.
Local entertainment will be provided by Great Bend High School’s El Sol folk dance club, performing traditional Mexican dances. Club sponsor Cristina Montes said their dances will be scattered throughout the day.
About the celebration
The first Great Bend Cinco de Mayo celebration was in 1994 and the growth over the years has been remarkable. This annual, community-wide extravaganza attracts hundreds upon hundreds of participants who revel in fun activities and learning opportunities.
From its beginnings, Cinco de Mayo has grown into a popular showcase for Great Bend’s vibrant Hispanic culture. It is always scheduled for a Saturday early in May at Jack Kilby Square, the Barton County Courthouse Square.
Seven community leaders can be credited with the birth of this festival. They are Miguel Giner, Guil Burley, Luz Betty Gordon, Nancy Schwartz, Dr. Perry Schuetz and Steven Wolf.
“We are grateful to this group of people that wanted to demonstrate the importance and vitality of the Hispanic culture to the entire community,” said Martha Delgadillo. “Their goal was to establish a link of unity and communication, which leads to respect between our Hispanic community and the community as a whole.
“These efforts can help bring our cultures together for the benefit of everyone. It is great to be able to celebrate our diversity together.”
Martha and her husband Fernando help coordinate Cinco de Mayo, which is a day that commemorates Mexico’s May 5, 1862, victory over France. The Delgadillos help bring everyone together and prepare for the many aspects this festival entails.
These aspects include a parade, and authentic Mexican food, music and dance. While the Hispanic community uses the venue to continue its cultural traditions, people from other backgrounds become more familiar with the customs of their neighbors.
Fernando noted that “the participation of the whole community has had a great impact on Cinco de Mayo. In addition to everyone having a fun time, the event offers many resources for information about the ways we can all try to help one another.
“We want to thank everyone who has participated in Cinco de Mayo in any way,” Fernando added. “Also, we extend an invitation to all individuals, businesses and organizations to continue supporting us with this wonderful community event. We always hope more people get involved to make this an even greater experience for everyone.”
Martha and Fernando made special note of how the City of Great Bend contributes to the success of Cinco de Mayo. “The city always supports and helps us by donating to and promoting the event. We are so thankful to be able to count on the city for support.”
Christina Hayes, who served as Great Bend community coordinator and director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau until recently, noted that Cinco de Mayo is one of the highlights of the year for families and friends to gather in celebration.
“Great Bend loves Cinco de Mayo because of the exposure it affords to the dancing, food and music of the Hispanic culture,” Hayes explained. “Local and area residents see it as a fun-filled event to celebrate the Hispanic-American culture and the ethnic pride in our community. It is truly a time to enjoy diverse ethnicity and bring us all together.”
Source: “Cinco de Mayo Book,” Cinco de Mayo-Great Bend, Kansas Facebook page
