Celebrate Cinco de Mayo downtown

By: Lori Hammelman
Posted 4/20/17

The annual Cinco de Mayo festival returns to Rochelle on Sat., May 6, and event organizers say this year’s schedule is jam-packed with entertainment, live music, plenty of food and drink, and of course, the Chihuahuas.

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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo downtown

Posted

ROCHELLE — The annual Cinco de Mayo festival returns to Rochelle on Sat., May 6, and event organizers say this year’s schedule is jam-packed with entertainment, live music, plenty of food and drink, and of course, the Chihuahuas.
Sponsored by the City of Rochelle and LULAC, the fourth annual festival begins at 4 p.m. in downtown Rochelle on Main Street by the gazebo. Event organizer Eva Chu said the entertainment schedule is a mix of new and returning crowd favorites.
“Signaling that the Cinco de Mayo celebration is upon us, traditional Mojigangas will kick-off this year’s downtown celebration,” Chu said. “Mojigangas are giant puppets made of cardboard, paper, and cloth who dance and delight the crowds. They are very popular across celebrations in Mexico and we are looking forward to bringing those to Rochelle.”
Events
Making its first appearance at Rochelle’s Cinco de Mayo festival is the mechanical bull, giving riders a thrill, along with another first — Mexican-style professional wrestling, making its way to the festival from 5:30 to 7:30. The group, “Galli Lucha Libre,” will entertain the crowd with their good guy/bad guy tricks.
“This year we are excited to present “Galli Lucha Libre” to the Cinco de Mayo celebration. This has been in the works for a couple of years,” Chu said. “This group of luchadores is considered the “Best of the Midwest” and we couldn’t be happier to have them. Kids will be able to purchase and color their own souvenir luchador masks as they cheer on their real-life favorites.”
The Chihuahua Parade and races will also be returning. This popular event begins at 4:45 p.m., with the races following at 5 p.m. The winner of the Chihuahua race will receive cash, prizes, and bragging rights for the rest of the year. Last year’s winner, Pepina, is expected to return to defend her title as the fastest Chihuahua.
“Tamorazo Salinas” returns to the festival for the fourth time. This father and son duo from Mendota will be playing during intermissions of the other events. Other entertainment events scheduled include the Rochelle Township High School band and the dance group, “Ballet Nueva Imagen.” There will also be DJ music, dancing, and raffles.

Food
Plenty of Traditional Mexican food and beverage options from Tacos Al Pastor #1, Oasis, Nina’s Tacos, Lupita’s Supermarket, Off the Wall Café, El Sol, and Tecalitlan will be available for purchase. Event organizers said the increase in vendors will accommodate the large crowds expected at this year’s festival.
The evening’s main event is the five-man group “Eterno Show de Chicago,” beginning at 8 p.m.
 
Event organizer Adriana Milan said there will be plenty of crafts for the kids to do, and shares her excitement about the upcoming event. Last year’s event drew people from as far as Chicago.
“Around the wrestling, we will have some masks for the kids to do, and Sunshine Bakery will bring lucha cookies,” Milan said. “I’m just excited to share some of the traditional celebration that goes on in Mexico and bring it here to Rochelle. The Cinco de Mayo was actually started by Mexican people in California celebrating Mexican heritage in the U.S.,” Adriana Milan, event organizer, said. “We are celebrating the infused Mexican culture into the American culture.”

Chihuahua Parade and Race info
The City of Rochelle is calling all pint-sized racers to compete in the fourth annual event. Dress up your pet and get ready to walk the red carpet on May 6 at 4:45 for the “Best Dressed Chihuahua” contest. The races start at 5 p.m.
Owners interested in participating in the race need to pick up a registration form at Rochelle’s engineering building located at 417 N. Sixth Street (across from City Hall), or by downloading the form at enjoyrochelle.com. Forms must be completed and dropped off at the engineering building or faxed to 815-562-4178. Please fax to attention of Michelle P. c/o Eva Chu. A current rabies registration tag number for Ogle County is required.
More details are available on the registration form or by calling Eva Chu at 815-562-6050.