Second Cinco de Mayo celebration grows with 1,000 attendees
One thousand attendees came to Hill Park Pavilion to enjoy free food, music, dances and more at the second Cinco de Mayo celebration held in Independence, Missouri on Sunday, May 4.
Newly elected Mayor Weir of Independence welcomes the crowd at Cinco de Mayo.
Multiple Central and Latin American countries were represented through food, arts and crafts, or performances. Free El Salvadoran tamales wrapped in banana leaves and Mexican galletas were available to the crowd while local students and residents performed the Mexican Hat Dance, a traditional Venezuelan dance, and more.
"Community events are the backbone of a strong community" said Sugar Creek mayor Matt Mallinson. "LINC, obviously is about caring communities, what better way to care about a community than to bring people together."
Mallinson and Mayor Eileen Weir of Independence addressed the crowd Sunday.
Twenty organizations were present to provide local resources to the attendees. Kansas City Public Library and Mid-Continent Public Library gave away bilingual books for families. The Hispanic Advisory Council, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City-Independence Unit, Independence Parks and Recreation, Independence Parks and Recreation, Independence School District ELL and more were available to engage with families and residents.
Cinco de Mayo celebration is one of the ways Independence is celebrating its growing Hispanic population. Download a booklet on the Hispanic resident population in Independence.
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View a slideshow of Cinco de Mayo at Hill Park Pavilion