Press Release

April 29, 2009

Contact person: Julius Velasquez

Cinco de Mayo hotline: (512) 538-1351

julius@cincodemayoaustin.com

     Fiestas Patrias of Austin presents the 3^rd annual Cinco de Mayo fiesta on May 1-3, 2009 at Fiesta Gardens. This City of Austin Park is located on the north shores of Lady Bird Lake east of I H 35. Commemorating Mexico’s victory from France in 1862, Fiestas Patrias of Austin invites the Austin community to the Cinco de Mayo fiesta to celebrate and recognize one of Mexico’s historical victories.

     This fiesta will bring the Mexican and Mexican-American communities together as they celebrate the rich culture, heritage, and history of their Mexican ancestors who fought to retain their independence from the French government. The determination to succeed in protecting their freedom, liberty and independence from future foreign invasions demonstrated the willingness of the people to defend their country once again.

     The tradition of Cinco de Mayo dates back to May 5, 1862 when the Mexican army led by General Ignacio Zaragosa led his smaller troop of soldiers in Puebla against the invading forces from France. This battle was part of a campaign by the French to install a European monarch led by Maximilian the archduke of Austria as emperor of Mexico. On May 5^th, after an intense two hour battle the Mexican forces held their ground and the French army retreated.

     However, the victory by the Mexican army in this international conflict was just a minor set-back for the French who returned back in 1862 with a larger army and conquered the country of Mexico. The Battle of Puebla proved to be a significant victory to the Mexicans who fought in the battle. The valor of those who fought the battle increased the commitment, unity, and pride of all countrymen who had to live under French rule until 1867  

     The three-day event will feature a variety of Tejano and Conjunto bands that will bring the extraordinary sound of the accordion to life through various levels of rhythms and beats. The unique sound of these various musical groups using different types of musical instruments along with vocal harmony of lead and backup singers brings the heart and soul of Mexico and Tejanos to life on the stage at Fiesta Gardens.

     This year’s entertainment includes: Grammy Award winner Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz, Gary Hobbs, AT Boyz, AJ Castillo, Da Krazy Pimpz, 19^th Annual Conjunto Fest presented by Johnny Degollado  plus The Daze, Blues Mafia, Level Hill and Knights during this three-day fiesta.

     The 19th annual Austin Conjunto festival is featured on May 3. Eight Conjunto bands squeezing cumbias, rancheras, boleros, and polkas will be playing all day. Highlighting the Conjunto fest is the “The Chief of San Antonio”, the legendary Santiago Jimenez along with festival coordinator Johnny Degollado  y u Conjunto. For more information on the other Conjunto bands performing and performance times visit our web-site http://cincodemayoaustin.com .  

     The ballet folklorico dancers with their colorful dance outfits will perform a medley of Mexican dances that have originated from various regions of Mexico. Along with the entertainment, there will be a BBQ contest to determine who has the best chicken, fajitas, beans, and salsa. While you enjoy listening to the music with your favorite taco or gordita and beverage visit the “Show Ur Ride Off Ese’ car show.

     Along with the tradition festival food fare of hamburgers, Bar-B-Que brisket, hot spicy chicken wings, corn on the cob and other delights, there will also be many food booths specializing in festive foods and many different culinary delights from the Mexican and Mexican-American cultures.

     Food specialties like gorditas which are made from cornmeal, fried and then stuffed with fajitas, chicken, chicharones, beans and then topped with vegetables makes this unique delicacy a must try meal experience. Various tacos made with flour or corn tortillas and then topped with salsas of varying heat temperatures and other condiments will make your mouth water and have you craving for more. Two bottles of .5 liter water is allowed into the park grounds. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening while indulging on your favorite taco and beverage.

     Getting to fiesta Gardens is a snap. There multiple ways of commuting to this beautiful park located on the north shores of Lady Bird Lake east of I. H.35. Capital Metro has two routes that feed closely to Fiesta Gardens. The #17 will drop you off at the intersection of Chicon St. and E. Second St. A short walk south on Chicon St. will take you to Fiesta Gardens. The #21 and #22 bus routes will take you to the intersection of Holly St. and Chicon St. with a short three block walk to the park. The hike and bike trail on the north shores of the lake will take you to Fiesta Gardens. Bike lanes intersecting Chicon St. run north and south on Chicon St. will also take you to fiesta gardens.  Parking is available but limited around Fiesta Gardens and Lady Bird Lake. Parking in the surrounding neighborhood is discouraged.

     Community and civic organizations have been recruited to join Fiestas Patrias of Austin to make this event a success. The following organizations have committed to the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta: Austin Tejano Music Coalition, LULAC, Tejano Democrats, U.S. Hispanic Contractor’s Association, Amigos en Azul, Hispanic Firefighters Association, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and South Austin Optimist. Special thanks to our sponsor Encino Broadcasting providers of the new Tejano radio station 95.1FM and 1560AM.  Thanks to Adelante Solutions for bringing all parties together.

     For further information about this event contact the Cinco de Mayo hotline at 512-538-1351 or

view or web-site at http://cincodemayoaustin.com