CINCO DE MAYO : Fiesta in San Clemente

Tickets are now on sale for San Clemente’s annual outdoor Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, which will be held Saturday at the city’s Community Center.

The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature an array of activities including games, an arts and crafts exhibit, a low-rider car show and sporting demonstrations in karate, wrestling and gymnastics.

Children in attendance will also have the opportunity each hour to break several large pinatas filled with candy and toys.

Among the Latin specialties available at food booths will be burritos, tacos, taquitos, menudo and bunuelos-- a Mexican dessert. Beer and soft drinks will be available at beverage booths.

All events up until 5 p.m. are free. Food and drinks require purchase.

The afternoon festivities will be followed by a dinner and dance in the Community Center from 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 each or $15 per couple and must be purchased before the event at the community center, 100 N. Calle Seville, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The dinner portion of the evening will feature entertainment by Diego Corriente, an international flamenco guitarist, and local talent such as Las Palmas Elementary School’s sixth-grade dancers.

Dinner guests will later be able to dance to traditional Mexican music performed by the Santa Ana-based band Grupo Enagno.

A limited number of tickets for the dance only may be available at the door for $5, according to Carol Gibson, recreation coordinator.

Gibson said organizers are encouraging all clubs and organizations in the city to participate in the event by providing a game or educational booth.

What: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.

When: Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (followed by a dinner dance from 5 to 10 p.m.).

Where: San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente.

Whereabouts: Exit the Santa Ana (5) Freeway at Avenida Palizada, go west to El Camino Real, then south to Del Mar. The Community Center is at the corner of Del Mar and Calle Seville.

Wherewithal: Admission to the fiesta is free; dinner dance is $10 per person, $15 per couple.

Where to Call: (714) 361-8264, ask for Carol Gibson.