Under its newly elected leadership, with Raul Martinez as its President, the Strategic Alliance for Leadership and Social Action (SALSA) will host its 2nd annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in conjunction with the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI). The Fiesta will be held from 10 am-6 pm at Wiggins Park, 1100 Victoria Street, on Saturday, May 7.
The fiesta will feature music, food vendors, arts and crafts, a car show, games including badminton, kickball dartboard, pickleball, a playground set, face painting, pinatas, and a bounce house for children, and corn holes and a 50-50 raffle for adults. Both SALSA and USHLI will award scholarships to Hispanic graduates from the Brownwood area. A pre-Mother’s Day tribute will also be presented.
The program will also include a moment of silence in memory of the 100 Mexican peasants who sacrificed their lives against a force of 4,500 French invaders in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, in defense of Mexico. Over 1,000 French soldiers were killed in the battle, which delayed the French conquest and occupation of Mexico and derailed the French plan of joining the South against Lincoln and the North, enabling Lincoln to save the Union. The Battle of Puebla on May 5 helped prevent the secession of rebel states, the expansion of slavery, and preserved the United States of America.
Dr. Juan Andrade, SALSA founder and president of USHLI said, “we are proud to join with SALSA in hosting this Cinco de Mayo fiesta and raising the visibility of the Mexican American community in Brownwood, which now numbers approximately 6,000. This celebration will serve to remind us all that, without the shedding of Mexican blood, America may have become two divided countries instead of just one great nation.”
Other SALSA officers elected include Vice President Chuck Gebhardt, Secretary Elizabeth Vega, and Co-Treasurers Deanna Gonzalez and Lisa Gebhardt.
The festival is open to the public and everyone is welcome. Admission is free. The wearing of masks is optional but strongly encouraged.