SAN DIEGO, CA – The Historic Old Town Community Foundation will host the 21st annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 1 and 2, 2004. The event kicks off on Saturday at 11:00am until 9:00pm and on Sunday from 10:00am until 5:00pm and is free to the public. The event covers a six block stretch along San Diego Avenue in the heart of Old Town and the main plaza area within the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

*The event features more than 100 booths situated along San Diego Avenue fashioned after a traditional Mercado found in plazas around Mexico. The Mercado consists of 10’x10’ booths covered in serapes and in the State Park, the booths are covered in burlap a material used when Old Town was a bustling place to be in the 1800’s.

With more than eight venues of entertainment, featured talent includes traditional mariachi, ballet folklorico, norteño, bandas, Latin jazz, rock en español and Salsa. Beyond the stages is the performance area where the Escaramuzas Golondrinas, a female equestrian group that practices formation riding perform twice daily. The Escaramuzas have competed against the best in Mexico. In addition to the famous women on horseback the performance arena is the home to the re-enactment of the Battle of Puebla.

Each year, the Southwest United States and Mexico celebrate Cinco de Mayo in commemoration of the 1862 Battle of Puebla, during which, out-numbered Mexican forces defeated the French Army, setting the stage for Mexico’s eventual triumph over French imperialism. The re-enactment is performed twice daily.

This is an alcohol free event. The Historic Old Town Community Foundation does not obtain a permit to serve alcoholic beverages. In the normal course of business, alcohol will be available at local restaurants including the Old Town Mexican Café, Café Coyote, Casa de Bandini, Fred’s Mexican Café, Rancho El Nopal and Casa de Pico.

The Fiesta serves as an anchor event which benefits the Historic Old Town Community Foundation. The Foundation supports educational programs in Old Town including the signature program called “Celebrate San Diego.” The program raises the visibility of Old Town and San Diego as a cultural and historic destination.

Photos are available electronically on the fiesta website at www.fiestacincodemayo.com or by calling The Border Agency at 619-260-1700.

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