Festive fete

Brightly colored decorations welcomed people to Centro Cultural's Cinco de Mayo celebration Saturday, while inviting aromas enticed them to sample the Mexican food.

Centro Cultural in Moorhead hosted the fourth annual event as an opportunity for Hispanic residents to learn more about the Mexican celebration and the organization's programs.

As a DJ played traditional Mexican music, attendees could picnic outside while children frolicked on inflatable games or perused the vendor tables inside.

Tisha Gonzales brought her 3-year-old son, José Haro Jr., to the celebration so he could play with other children.

As a new Moorhead resident, Gonzales saw a flier about the event and decided to see what it was like.

"It's very well-organized," she said. "There's a lot for the kids (to do) to keep busy."

Christina Rositas, chairwoman of Centro's governing board, said the six board members and two staff members began planning the event two months ago.

The group worked to bring in vendors and get businesses to donate items to give away as door prizes.

Several community members also volunteer to help staff the event, which Rositas is thankful for.

"Without the community, we couldn't do this," she said.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, but it is not the Mexican Independence Day, which is Sept. 16.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, where Mexican forces defeated the French army, according to an informational sheet handed out at the event.

Nelson Lozano, Centro Cultural executive director, said the organization's celebration included many traditional aspects, such as a jalape?o-eating contest; loteria, or Mexican bingo; and folkloric dancing by Raices, a local group that practices at Centro Cultural.

As a nonprofit organization, Centro Cultural operates because of the support of groups such as the Otto Bremer Foundation, Hispanics in Philanthropy and the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation, Lozano said.

The organization strives to help the Hispanic population live better lives and stronger communities.

One way the organization accomplishes that goal is by offering a revamped summer youth program, Rositas said.

The program will be offered this summer from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Anyone interested in participating in the youth program and learning about the culture is welcome to join, Rositas said.

Centro Cultural was founded in 1994 by a group of concerned Hispanic citizens wanting to be heard on issues affecting them, Rositas said.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Danielle Troske at (701) 241-5505