St. Paul's Cinco de Mayo fiesta seeks volunteers

By TIM HARLOW , Star Tribune Staff Writer

Last update: December 3, 2008 - 1:03 AM

The winter season has barely arrived, but folks in St. Paul already have their minds on spring and the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Festival organizers are holding informational meetings at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Dec. 9 for volunteers interested in joining the committee that will plan the 2009 fete. The meetings will be held at the offices of the Riverview Economic Development Association, 176 Cesar Chavez Street, St. Paul.

St. Paul’s Cinco de Mayo celebration, held annually on the weekend nearest to May 5, attracts more than 100,000 people to the city’s west side for two days of entertainment, including a car show, Salsa tasting contest, arts and crafts, and a parade. It is one of the largest fiesta’s of its kind in the nation.

Cinco de Mayo marks the anniversary of Mexico’s “Battle of Puebla” in 1862 when a fledgling Mexican army defeated the larger, better-equipped invading French forces.

For more information call 651-222-6347 or send and e-mail to bg@deistrictdelsol.com.

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