The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is a family event that brings together the business and civic community of Sioux Falls, S.D., and the surrounding area to welcome, appreciate and celebrate the Latino cultures among us. While observing this traditional Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo in Sioux Falls creates awareness of and develops pride in the diverse Latino cultures that make up our community.
The fiesta benefits our sponsored ministry, Caminando Juntos (walking together), and is a major funding source for the ministry each year. Caminando Juntos began in 2002 and continues to grow as the population in Sioux Falls and the surrounding area becomes more diverse.
The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, presented by Wells Fargo, with entertainment sponsor Avera Health, ran virtually on May 8, 2021. It was aired, and still available to view, on the Cinco De Mayo Facebook page and Caminando Juntos YouTube channel.
The virtual celebration included local and regional music videos, children’s activities, a Chihuahua Fashion Show and highlighted local Latino business partners. A “taco take-out” was organized the week leading up to the fiesta, encouraging the community to order food to-go from our amazing Latino food vendors. Each time someone purchased $25 in food, they were eligible to put their name in a drawing for a gift certificate, back to those local vendors. In addition, we had some fun and engaging questions on social media, leading up to the fiesta, for more opportunities to win gift certificates from our amazing, local Latino vendors. The response was amazing and we had a lot of fun giving away certificates as we all supported the local vendors, who are normally found at the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.
“We were excited about the 2021 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta celebration,” said Kathy Graff, district manager for Wells Fargo. “Last year was difficult for many, but the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta provides the Sioux Falls community an opportunity to celebrate life and unity while raising funds and awareness about critical programs. Wells Fargo is proud to lend our support to this work.”