The City of Santa Monica’s Virginia Avenue Park is hosting a free Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Pico Auto Show on Sunday, May 2nd from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Come sing and dance at this colorful show of Mexican culture, music and dance. The entertainment line-up includes Mariachi Alta California, 10 member group that will make you shout “Ahua”; Ten piece, salsa band, Bomba Chante with their energetic and explosive rhythms; beautiful Ballet Folklorico Mexcaltitan with 23 dancers and more. As Mistress of Ceremony, Award winning performance artist Maria Elena Gaitan will add the history of Cinco de Mayo to the stage with her usual intellect and humor. Also featured, are children’s Mexican arts and crafts, carnival games and delicious food including Mama’s Hot Tamales, Tacos of all kinds from Frida Taqueria, a Pizza Slice Truck, gourmet hot dogs, raspados, kettle corn and more. Last year over 2,000 people representing generations of Westside families enjoyed the festivities, brought blankets and sat on the lawn to enjoy the festivities.
Car Show: The Pico Improvement Organization is sponsoring the Classic Car Show organized by Andrew Gomez with support from Pacific Motors, High Rollerz Limousines Inc., and At Your Service Auto Repair. The car show will feature classic, vintage, muscle cars, low riders, trucks and specialty vehicles. Car show exhibitors will compete for The Mayor’s Choice Trophy judged by Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tempore, Pam O’Conner and the Chief’s Trophy judged by Santa Monica Police Chief Timothy Jackman and Santa Monica Fire Chief Scott Ferguson. Trophies will also be awarded for “Best In Class”.
Virginia Avenue Park is located on the northwest corner of Pico and Cloverfield in Santa Monica. Visitors and neighbors are encouraged to walk, bicycle or park for free at Santa Monica College “Structure A” at the corner of Pico and 17th Street. A Big Blue Bus chartered for the event will shuttle attendees from Santa Monica College at Pico and 16th Street eastbound and back at Pico and 22nd Street (eastbound). Directional signs will be visible at the college on Pico and 17th Street. Virginia Avenue Park is served by Blue Bus Line No. 7 and is accessible for persons with disabilities. For disability-related accommodation requests, or to request this information in an alternate format, please call (310) 458-8688 or TTY: (310) 458-8696 by April 22, 2009.
