Cinco de Mayo at Balboa Park

May 2, 2019 9:50 AM PT

The Cinco de Mayo celebration at Balboa Park returns this year with more music, more art, and more activities for both kids and adults. In commemorating the Mexican victory over the French during the Battle of Puebla, La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego will kick things off during the opening ceremony with a ballet folklorico performance. Throughout the day, it will be followed by a horseback procession led by a floreador in the Plaza de Panama; Latin jazz performed live by Mariachi Victoria and the Paris Escovedo Band; more dance performances; a fashion showcase with styles of traditional Mexican dress from varying regions; a procession by the San Diego State University drumline ahead of a concert by Jarabe Mexicano; plenty of food trucks; Huichol artists from Nayarit, Mexico, who will present demonstrations on traditional art techniques and a bracelet-making session; and plenty of other activities for all ages.

Cinco de Mayo celebration: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Plaza de Panama and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. (619) 331-1920. balboaparkconservancy.org

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Lisa Deaderick

Lisa Deaderick writes about social justice issues in her Sunday column for The San Diego Union-Tribune, as well as influential San Diegans for the One-on-One series that runs on Saturdays. Each week, she’s speaking with community activists, academics, volunteers, or other knowledgeable individuals about everything from the benefits of music in education and the creative work of notable artists, to understanding the importance of representation and inclusiveness. A Chula Vista native, Lisa graduated from Bethune-Cookman University in Florida and Columbia University in New York, and has worked at the Union-Tribune since 2008.