La Unión Cívica Mexicana of Saginaw presents the 45th annual Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival Saturday, May 4, 2024, marching north on Michigan Avenue and celebrating at Jolt Credit Union Event Park in Downtown Saginaw. This year’s parade theme is “United We Soar” mirroring the theme of the Memorial Cup happening later this month.
Over 100 parade entrants, including restaurants, civic associations, youth groups, marching bands and low rider vehicles, are expected to participate in this year’s parade, making the Saginaw Cinco de Mayo Parade the largest Hispanic parade in the state of Michigan. The event commemorates the famous May 5, 1852 Battle at Puebla in Mexico in which a small army of Mexicans led by Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza defeated much larger French invading forces sent by Napoleon III.
This year La Unión Cívica Mexicana celebrates its 79th anniversary since its incorporation as a non-profit civic organization in 1945 and is represented by their queen Gabrielle Diaz. Parade Grand Marshall is Mary and Lupe Silvas, long-time members of the Unión Cívica who have volunteered their time to advance the cause of the non-profit civic organization.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. with its staging area by Garber Courts on Fordney across from the YMCA beginning on Court Street. It will head north on N. Michigan Avenue to SASA.
The festival at Jolt Credit Union Event Park, 300 Johnson Street, starts at noon and will run through 5 p.m. The public is invited to sample tasty Mexican food from some of Saginaw’s culinary restaurants and food vendors while enjoying the live music and folkloric dancers. Nearly a dozen food trucks will be in attendance, primarily serving Mexican cuisine. Entrance fee is $5.00 per person 10 and over, free 10 years and under.
Latin Grammy artists Elida Reyna y Avante will headline the festival, along with performances by Grupo Illusion of Pontiac, MI and La Furia del Ritmo from Grand Rapids, MI. Also performing are the Ballet Folklorico of Detroit, bringing exciting dance routines with authentic Mexican dresses. Activities for the children include Inflatables for the kids.
The celebration continues from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. with the Cinco De Mayo Concert at The Vault, 110 Florence St., Saginaw, MI with performances by Elida Reyna y Avante and Grupo Illusion. Tickets are $40 per person and on sale at T&T Authentic Mexican Cuisine and $45 at the door.
For more information, visit La Unión Cívica Mexicana’s website.
Event Sponsors of the 45 annual Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival are: Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, Jolt Credit Union and Garber Automotive. Also sponsoring are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, T & T Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Nexteer Automotive, Financial Plus Credit Union, Caravan Facilities Management and Consumers Energy.
Media sponsors include WSGW 100.5 FM and 790 AM and Mi Gente Magazine and Midwest Tejano Radio.
