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Aroundcinci.com
April 15, 2005
Where fun, food and festival come together
By Lori Beckman
A native to the Cincinnati area probably has a lot of experience in festival-going. In our area, food festivals, kids’ festivals, art festivals and music festivals abound. In fact, often there is a little bit of all of these elements combined into one grand event. However, even the most skilled festival attendee may not be familiar with an event that also offers health information and screenings, a soccer competition, an education pavilion and a Cincinnati business pavilion while it also ties in a cultural theme to the music and dance performances, food vendors and art exhibits.
On Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, festival lovers are invited to explore Cincy-Cinco at Coney Island, the Latino family festival for the entire Greater Cincinnati communit. See first-hand that there is something for everyone of every age at this cultural event. The fun begins at noon on Saturday until 10 p.m., then on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
According to Cincy-Cinco coordinators, this is an opportunity for many in the community-at-large to learn about a diverse culture and people. The festival also serves as a way for both Latinos and the entire Cincinnati community to proactively work to find ways to successfully welcome Latinos into the community. All proceeds will benefit tri-state charities that support the Hispanic population.
If there’s one part of the festival that’s a must-see, it’s the Arts Pavilion. From Latino painters to Latino musicians and dancers, Moonlight Gardens and Gazebo will be the Mecca of all art forms. Here, daily performances in music and dance will take place while two full-service bars for cocktails and snacks will be available throughout the day. Enjoy acts such as Emily Sierra as she performs Latin jazz on April 30 and Mariachi Acero on May 1. Visual art on display include digital art by Jose Perez and ceramics by Ana Luisa Sanchez and Gabriela Cornado to name only a few of the artists. This pavilion will also host a traditional Mexican Mariachi Mass on May 1 at 11 a.m.
Because dancing is a large part of the Hispanic culture, the Latino dance performances are sure to impress. Enjoy a slew of performances throughout the weekend at the Land of Oz Picnic Shelter. Additional performances can be seen at the Main Stage near the Tilt-a-Whirl and in the Art Pavilion. Salsa lessons and competitions will be held at the Gazebo next to Moonlight Gardens. Musical performances can be seen at the Main Stage, the Art Pavilion and Gazebo, as well as other locations throughout the event. Listen to the talented music of acts from Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain and Venezuela.
To keep the kids occupied, swing by the Children’s Pavilion near the playground and picnic shelters. Kids can participate in games and crafts that include creating tissue flowers, painting a Spanish fan or picture frame, participating in a bean bag toss, playing pin the tail on the donkey, shooting marbles and more. Kids will also be entertained by storytelling, face painting, balloon sculptures, performances by the Madcap Puppet Theater and more. Also, in honor of El Dia de los Ninos (Children’s Day) on April 30, the first 500 kids to arrive on Saturday, April 30 will receive a voucher for two tickets to a Reds game.
The Sports Pavilion is an area of Cincy-Cinco that will attract soccer-loving kids like a magnet. Skill tests will be held daily from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. east of the picnic shelters. Winners of each skill test category will receive a prize package and will be recognized at half time during a Cincinnati Kings soccer game. If they’re lucky, kids may get the chance to meet a Kings team member.
Food is everyone’s favorite topic, especially when it’s good and tasty. Booths will be located throughout the festival offering the best authentic Latin American cuisine from local restaurants, which include cuisine from Mexico, Puerto Rico and Central America. Look for sweet bread, chocolate, tortas, rice and beans, pollo, quesadillas and much more. Don’t worry if it’s impossible to choose just one dish because the “Tarjeta Botanera” will allow visitors to sample dishes from six different authentic restaurants plus a sweet Mexican pastry sample for $10.
As tempting as the cuisine sounds, it might be best eat after a visit to the health booths scattered throughout the park. Whether it is health education you are looking for or a certain type of screening, more than likely one of the health booths will have it. For example, the Nutrition Council will offer information about adult and childhood nutrition; Tri-Health will offer prenatal health care information; and St. Luke Hospital Cardiac Center will offer blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings.
The Education Pavilion is another helpful area of the festival that will provide information on such topics as how to apply for private schools, available financial aid, how to save for college, opportunities in trade schools and 2-year programs and more. Participants include Ohio State University, Xavier University and Cincinnati Public Schools.
Do free samples sound enticing? If so, stop by the Cincy-Cinco sponsor booths for information on their products and services as well as possible free samples. Participants include P&G, Kroger, Chiquita, Toyota, Federated Department Stores and many more.
To find specific performance times and other information about Cincy-Cinco, visit http://www.cincy-cinco.com.
Cincy-Cinco Latin Festival
El Rancho Grande
Sharonville
Quite possibly the best Mexican restaurant in town. Excellent traditional
dishes including fajitas, burritos, tacos, and more served with outstanding
service.
Taqueria Mercado
Fairfield
Authentic Mexican right down to the inclusion of organ meat on the menu;
Taqueria Mercado also offers the standard enchiladas and tacos you'd expect.
Fresh ingredients such as cilantro and hot chiles make this a party for
your mouth.
Lori Beckman is a production manager at Gardner Publications and is a Cincinnati native.
What: Cincy-Cinco Latin Festival
Where: Coney Island
Date: April 30 through May 1
Time: April 30: noon to 10 p.m. May 1: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $10 adults, children under 16 are free
Contact: cincycinco@memi.biz or http://www.cincy-cinco.com
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