Santa Ana’s 3rd Cinco de Mayo Is Family Affair

A year ago, the big draw was Vice President George Bush. But organizers for Santa Ana’s third annual Cinco de Mayo celebration wanted this year to be less political and “more for families.”

“This year we wanted it strictly for the people of our community,” said Otto R. Bade, a member of the Santiago Club, one of the groups that sponsored the weekend’s activities, which attracted an estimated 16,000 people at Centennial Park.

Under clear blue skies, thousands enjoyed rides and games and an international cuisine cooked on outdoor grills that featured everything from hot corn-on-the-cob to chicken teriyaki and tacos. For libation, plenty of beer and soda pop was on hand, organizers said.

Weekend entertainment included mariachis and special visits by Mexican entertainers Jorge Rivero, a popular actor; David Reynoso, a singer, and comedian Resortes.

‘We’ve Done a Good Job’

“This is our third year and each year we get more and more organized,” Bade said as he maneuvered a small electric-powered golf cart through the throng. “Last year’s crowd was bigger but the event was also more political. This year we’ve done a good job.”

Bade said proceeds from the festivities would help support scholarships for Hispanic high school and college students.

This year, volunteers for about 50 private nonprofit organizations set up booths and sold food and drinks. Several booths also offered information para amnistia-- for amnesty--for immigrants seeking help to qualify under the new immigration reform act.

Jorge Rodriguez, 6, didn’t care about crowd size or sponsors. His interest was focused on snowy pink cotton candy and a helium-filled blue balloon that dangled from a string held tightly in his right fist.

With his father and mother, Miguel and Amparo Rodriguez, they joined hundreds who sat on the grass and listened to mariachis performing on stage.

“We’re just enjoying the day. It’s Sunday and I don’t have to work,” said Jorge’s father, Miguel Rodriguez, who works as a tortilla maker in Santa Ana.

Raising Funds

At a booth sponsored by the Parent-Teacher Assn. of Kenneth E. Mitchell School, the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration was an opportunity to raise funds for the school’s annual camp outing. The school offers instruction to severely handicapped students.

“Our goal is to raise $1,300 to help send 45 kids to camp at Big Bear for five days,” said Principal John Boling.

With signs in Spanish that read, “Ayuda Para Ninos Especiales” (Help for Special Children), volunteers carrying cotton candy zig-zagged through the crowd selling the popular confection.

Although attendance was down from last year’s festival, Boling said that Saturday’s proceeds for cotton candy at $1 apiece paid all the expenses. “Today, (Sunday) we’re going to reap the profits,” he said confidently.

“The special thing is . . . we were able to get at least 40 parents out during the weekend to help us. The money is one thing, but getting those parents to participate, well that’s special,” he said.

Cinco de Mayo is the Mexican national holiday recognizing the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, in which Mexican troops, outnumbered 3 to 1, defeated invading French forces.