Mission Statement
The Anaheim Cinco de Mayo
Fiesta is registered as a non-profit 501 © (4) organization through the
California Secretary of State. Our committee was created to promote Hispanic
American Cultural Activities in efforts to benefit our Community. We feel that
we will accomplish our goal with the help of supporters and local businesses
like you.
Our History
What began with a small group of parents and assistants of the
ESEA and ESL programs at Fremont Jr. High and Anaheim High School as an annual fiesta
to introduce the Hispanic Culture in to our community more then three decades
ago has evolved into one of Orange County's oldest Cinco de Mayo celebrations,
with more than 100,000 spectators from all walks of life, expected during the
festival's four days.
When the celebration moved from Anaheim High School to La
Palma Park in the early 1970s, attendance jumped substantially. The celebration
grew from a few families and small community groups selling food and
refreshments to amusement park rides and a stage for folkloric groups and
mariachis.
Despite its growth, the celebration at La Palma Park in
Anaheim has remained a family affair.
One of the original Founders (Joel A. Guerena who passed
away in 1997) families has continued to manage the fiesta throughout the years.
There of course have been many volunteers along with their families who get
involved, working hundreds of volunteer hours on the festival 11 months of the
year.
The Cinco de Mayo celebration, which marks Mexico's 1862
victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, has grown from an annual fiesta
of food booths to a large four day carnival, a queen scholarship program, and a
soccer tournament involving some sixteen local soccer clubs. Mr. Guerena began
this tournament between the teams he owned, played in and managed. The Jaycox
Soccer Club (later known as Anaheim Cruz Azul,) sent an invitation for a
friendly match of soccer with a team from Cruz Azul in Hidalgo, Mexico, one of
that country's most powerful clubs. That led to the annual soccer tournament at
the Cinco de Mayo festivities.
Each year, 20 to 30 delegates from Cruz Azul, and San
Miguel, Hidalgo are invited to attend the festivities and are provided lodging
and taken to tourist attractions, such as Disneyland and Universal Studios, and
Hollywood. They also enjoy our many local shopping malls. In September, the queen and a select
group travel to Cruz Azul, Hidalgo, Mexico to participate in their annual Independence
Day festivities as well as take in some local sights.
The Cinco de Mayo festival has become one of the biggest
events of the year for many Orange County residents. Many attending the fiesta remember coming here as children,
and now reunite with old friends each year. This tradition has been and is being passed down to many of
there children and grandchildren.
The City of Anaheim provides tremendous support toward the
success of our event by providing police, cleanup crews, electricity and other
assistance, alone with their sponsorship.
We always welcome new volunteers. if you would like to
assist in this huge event please e-mail us through our contact page. We hope we
see you at this year’s Cinco De Mayo Fiesta.
“Bringing our
community closer together through cultural experiences”
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