Viva Santa Monica!

Photos and story by
Clara Sturak
Associate editor

   The City of Santa Monica hosted a Cinco de Mayo Festival at the Thelma Terry Center in Virginia Avenue Park last Sunday.
   The afternoon celebration featured indoor and outdoor activities, including performances by Mariachi Voz de America, and the lovely young women of the Ballet Folklorico Herencia Mexicana.
   Neighbors and visitors participated in Cumbia, Cha Cha and Salsa contests, tried their hand at piñata making, played loteria and other games, and munched on homemade tamales, tacos and salsa courtesy of volunteers from St. Anne’s Catholic church (and members of Visions community group served some great sweet potato pie, too!).
   Community organizations from the Boys and Girls Club to living wage advocates manned booths. Concerned neighbors examined a model of the City’s Virginia Avenue Park renovation plan, while clowns blew bubbles with preschoolers, and teenagers presided over a “wedding booth.”
   The crowd tested its knowledge of Mexican history with “Culture Quizzes” between performances, and some daring folks flaunted their hardy taste buds in a Jalapeno Eating Contest.
   Over 200 people attended the event, and a good time was had by all.