CONTACT:  Betty Macias betty.macias@smgov.net (310) 458-8688                                                

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 7, 2008                                         

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Classic Car Show – Sunday, May 4th

A Free Community Event With Live Entertainment, Car Show, and Games

The City of Santa Monica’s Virginia Avenue Park is hosting a free Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Classic Car Show on Sunday, May 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Come sing and dance to a fabulous entertainment line-up including Mariachi Estrella de Jalisco, a group that will make you shout “Ahua”; Westside Crew,  a 10 piece, Latin, R&B, Funk band westsiders love to dance to; Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana, local youth dancers;  and Danza de la Pluma, Oaxacan indigenous dance. The emcee will be award winning performance artist Maria Elena Gaitan, adding the history of Cinco de Mayo to the stage.  Also featured, are children’s Mexican arts and crafts, carnival games and delicious food including tacos, tostadas, quesadillas and fresh fruit juices by Frida Taqueria in Santa Monica. 

Car Show: Back by popular demand is the Classic Car Show organized by Andrew Gomez with support from Biar’s Keystone Bodyshop, High Rollerz Limousines, and Hallo Construction.  The car show will feature classic, vintage, muscle cars, low riders, trucks and specialty vehicles. Car show exhibitors will compete for The Mayor’s Choice Trophy judged by Santa Monica Mayor Herb Katz, and the Chief’s Trophy judged by Santa Monica Police Chief Timothy Jackman and Santa Monica Fire Chief Jim Hone. Trophies will also be awarded for “Best In Class” in various categories.

Virginia Avenue Park is located on the northwest corner of Pico and Cloverfield in Santa Monica. Visitors and neighbors are encouraged to walk, bicycle or park for free at Santa Monica College “Structure A” at the corner of Pico and 17th Street.  A Big Blue Bus chartered for the event will shuttle attendees from Santa Monica College at Pico and 16th Street eastbound and back at Pico and 22nd Street (eastbound). Directional signs will be visible at the college on Pico and 17th Street.  Virginia Avenue Park is served by Blue Bus Line No. 7 and is accessible for persons with disabilities. For disability-related accommodation requests, or to request this information in an alternate format, please call (310) 458-8688 or TTY: (310) 458-8696 by April 30, 2008.