The Fifth Annual Cinco de Mayo festival returns to Rochelle on Saturday, May 5 with a schedule jam-packed full of entertainment, live music, food and drink, and the Chihuahua race.

Sponsored by the City of Rochelle and LULAC, the fifth annual festival begins at 2 p.m. in downtown Rochelle on Main Street by the gazebo. Organizers say the event will be a blend of new and returning favorites.

Eva Chu, event organizer said the Chihuahua parade and race as well as the mechanical bull will be back.

“New this year, we will have Zumba demonstrations, which is one of two activities including the CincoK, to promote healthy activity,” Chu said. “Even before activities kick-off at the CincoK, artists of all ages and abilities can participate in our first ever “De Colores: Art on the Avenue” event.”

LULAC is partnering with the Rochelle CAN Arts and Culture Committee to introduce this year’s community-wide celebration of Cinco de Mayo, which is sure to be a kaleidoscope of color.

The Arts and Culture Committee is inviting the community to paint a stretch of sidewalk squares in downtown Rochelle along Fourth Avenue. For $5, participants will receive an art kit and an assigned number to paint their own four-foot square sidewalk section anytime from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

To reserve a spot ahead of time, please visit the LULAC Rochelle Facebook page of the EventBrite web page. Registration is limited to the first 100 people. All levels of artistic skills are welcome.

Schedule of events

The celebration will kickoff at 2 p.m. with welcome announcements, quickly followed at 2:30 with a Zumba demonstration the whole crowd can participate in. The food and specialty drink booths will also open at 2 p.m., featuring Tacos al Pastor #1, Oasis, El Sol, El Senor de los Tacos, Lupitas Supermarket, Tecalitlán, and Ralfie’s BBQ.

At 3 p.m. students from Rochelle Elementary District 231 will perform.

Rochelle Township High School senior Nephertiti Valle will present her state-won speech at 3:45, which focuses on the need to understand and accept multiculturalism in the world. The RTHS Jazz Band will follow, beginning at 4 p.m.

The much-adored Chihuahua parade and race will start at 4:30, with a best-dressed contest and photos to follow.

New this year, event goers can hear the delights of Mariachi music from Mariachi Nuevo Tapatio starting at 5 p.m. Singers and karaoke enthusiasts can join in for the singing contest with the Mariachi band as their background music, starting at 6 p.m.

At 7 p.m., returning this year is the folklorico performances by Ballet Nueva Imagen followed with more DJ music and dancing.

Capping the live entertainment is Sentido Musical from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. From Sterling, the band plays a variety of genres of Mexican music.

Milan welcomes everyone in the community to join the festivities.

“Throughout the event, everyone can enter raffles for baskets, enjoy the music, entertainment, and authentic Mexican food and beverages,” Andria Milan, event organizer, said. “Come out and embrace the Mexican culture. It’s all about getting together, infusing and weaving the fabric of our culture to be closer together.”

The Mechanical Bull is open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and youngsters of all ages can take a swing at the piñatas at 5:30.

“Special guests will make their appearance and we will have commemorative t-shirts, done by local high school students, for purchase,” Chu added. “We have many other activities for all to enjoy, so come join us.”

Chihuahua Parade and Race info

LULAC Rochelle is calling all pint-sized racers to compete in the 5^th annual Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua Parade and Race. Dress up your pet and get ready to walk the red carpet at 4:30 p.m. for the “Best Dressed Chihuahua” contest. The winner of the race will receive cash, prizes, and bragging rights for the rest of the year.

Chihuahua owners interested in participating in this race may do so by picking up a registration form at Rochelle’s Engineering Building, 417 No. Sixth Street, across from City Hall, or by downloading the form at www.enjoyrochelle.com. Forms must be completed and dropped off at the Engineering Building or faxed to 815-562-4178, sent to the attention of Michelle Pease, c/o Eva Chu.

A current rabies registration tag number for Ogle County (or the county you reside in) must be provided at the time of registration. More details are available on the registration form or by calling Eva Chu at 815-562-6050.

On the day of the event, the registration will be from 4 to 4:30, parade begins at 4:30 and the races at 4:45.

Registration is now open until Friday, May 4.