ALAMOSA – The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area’s (SdCNHA) Seventh Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration and Block Party will take place in Alamosa on Friday, May 2 from 5 to 10 p.m., on San Juan Avenue and Main Street. Just in time for those who have “cabin fever”.  Come spend the evening with us under the stars, watching amazing entertainment, listening to great music, enjoying traditional food and drinks. A perfect way to start the summer. 

Our Caminos de Valle Youth Walking Tour Program will be leading an enlightening tour of historic downtown Alamosa. Youth in this program have been anxiously conducting research and learning public speaking to offer this tour to you. 

Kicking off the occasion will be Los Vecinos Bailadores, a local group who perform dances that originated in Spain and have been handed down over generations in the San Luis Valley.  

Observe our History Fair scholarship winners accept their awards. These youth participated in the local regional history fair earlier this year entering history projects of people, places, and events within the heritage area. 

“It’s so exciting to see youth interested not only in local history, but their history,” Julie Chacon, SdCNHA Executive Director. 

Another local favorite, Semilla de la Tierra will be taking the stage, and street, for additional dancing.  Come watch these talented youth exhibit traditional dances they’ve learned in colorful cultural dresses and suits!  Make sure to come early and bring a chair. This group rightfully so draws in a crowd. 

“We are excited to introduce our new official mascot of the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, we will have stickers available for our youth,” said Alina Marquez, SdCNHA Marketing and Outreach Coordinator.  

Our final performers of the evening will be The Sol Boys, a local band of the Valley who always get everyone in the crowds of every age and ethnicity on their feet and dancing. They play everything: cumbias, Spanish, country, rock and roll, and oldies. Come request your favorite song and dance the night away.  

SdCNHA will have a booth that will have information, promotional items and our traditional T-shirt giveaway (while supplies last). There will also be a fundraising booth that will have reusable bags, mugs, and SLV Historians for sale.  

Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area is absolutely honored to have been asked and encouraged by our community to continue this free event!  Our partnerships and friends have truly come through, we are very grateful for you all and your continued support to be able to continue and expose our unique heritage, culture and traditions.  

Collaborating with SdCNHA on this event is the San Luis Valley Brewing Company. Owners Scott and Angie Graber opened their doors in Alamosa in 2006 and have since become an integral part of Alamosa’s downtown and supportive members of the local community. Come prepared, bring chairs, dress warmly, and bring a blanket. Don’t let the cool weather keep you from the complete experience. 

The Mexican paper flowers decorations for the event are made by students at the Alamosa 3-5 building under the direction of art teacher Jimmy Crane. Each student made a flower to contribute to Cinco de Mayo Block Party and took a flower home as well. Mexican paper flowers, which are made of crepe and tissue paper, represent the soul and culture of the artists who craft them. In Mexican culture, paper flowers are used in place of real flowers to decorate parties, weddings, and religious festivities. They are no longer just a staple of Mexican folk art but are popular around the world.  

An enormous thank you and appreciation goes out to local event sponsors: City of Alamosa, Alamosa Marketing District Board, San Luis Valley Brewing Company, BankShot, Casey’s Quick Lube and Small Repair, SLV Health, SLV Behavioral Health Group, KALQ, KGIW and KZBR, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, San Luis Valley Local Food Coalition, SLV Federal Bank, First Southwest Bank, and First Southwest Community Fund.