Portland is gearing up for its largest celebration of Mexican culture with the return of the 38th annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. Hosted by the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association, this year’s fiesta will span four days, from May 2-5, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The event promises an exciting and immersive experience for attendees of all ages, featuring a diverse lineup of entertainment, food, and cultural showcases.
While some Latino heritage events in the area were canceled this year, Portland’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is returning with renewed vigor, including extended hours to accommodate more visitors. Organizers are encouraging local businesses by giving them an additional day to participate, which they hope will enhance the overall experience at the festival.
This year’s festival marks a significant evolution in the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Although the holiday commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862 and sees limited recognition in Mexico outside the Puebla region, in the United States, it has transformed into a lively, multicultural celebration of Mexican heritage—especially in cities like Portland.
Another exciting change for this year is that the festival will have an additional day open to the public. Running from May 2 through May 5, the event will be accessible from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on May 2-4, and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 5. According to Anthony Veliz, a spokesperson for Portland Cinco de Mayo, the aim behind the extended hours is to provide local small businesses more opportunities to showcase their products and services.
One of the highlights returning to this year’s celebrations is Lucha Libre wrestling, which has been absent for years. Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m., attendees will be able to watch male and female luchadores compete in various matches. Alongside wrestling, boxing matches are also returning throughout the weekend, adding to the festival’s vibrant entertainment lineup. Every day of the festival will feature different matches to encourage attendees to return and enjoy the variety of offerings.
Aside from exhilarating wrestling and boxing, visitors to the fiesta can expect a bustling mercado that features both local and international vendors. Impressively, about 95% of the vendors are local, many of whom are based in Oregon, while a few are traveling from Guadalajara, Portland’s sister city in Mexico. Cindy Avila, president of the Portland Sister City Association, highlighted the importance of supporting local Latino businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs through attendance at the event.
As anticipation builds for this year’s festivities, attendees should be prepared for large crowds, especially given past attendance rates topping 50,000 during favorable weather conditions. With this year’s promising temperate and sunny spring weather, organizers are optimistic about a successful event. Last year’s event faced significant rain, yet enthusiastic participants still showed up to support the celebration, showcasing their love for the event and the community it represents.
For those planning to attend, it is advisable to purchase tickets in advance online to secure the best prices. Tickets can be found at cincodemayoportland.com/tickets.
Event details include:
– Dates: May 2-5, 2023
– Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on May 2-4; 4 p.m.-10 p.m. on May 5
– Location: Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 98 S.W. Naito Pkwy
– Website: cincodemayoportland.com
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