With a Hispanic population of over 20%, Reno and Sparks have good reason to put on a big Cinco de Mayo bash. The big party is a fiesta at the Grand Sierra Resort, but there are other celebrations happening around Reno / Tahoe as well.
Cinco de Mayo Festival at the Grand Sierra Resort
This Cinco de Mayo Festival is northern Nevada's biggest annual celebration of Mexican heritage. It will be at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, in the southeast parking area. Admission to the event is $5 for adults, free for 12 and under and over 65. Once in, all entertainment is free. Bring the family and join the party on Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.Presented by Big Daddy's Barbeque and other sponsors, Cinco de Mayo 2012 will feature several Latino bands, amateur boxing, Mexican dancing horse performances, around 100 vendors with food, arts and crafts, and a children's playground. The music headliner will be Los Grandes de Tijuana, playing on Sunday afternoon. Proceeds from the event will benefit Nevada Hispanic Services programs. For more information, call (775) 291-3651.
Piñatas & Predators at Animal Ark
For Cinco de Mayo with a wild twist, come to Animal Ark near Reno on Saturday, May 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Watch the predators break open piñatas to get their treats - wolves and bears and cheetahs, oh my! Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for children, $13.50 for seniors, free for kids two and under. You can come to Animal Ark on Saturday, April 28, if you would like to help make the piñatas. Contact Animal Ark for more information.SalsaVania at CommRow
SalsaVania is a Cinco de Mayo dance extravaganza at CommRow in downtown Reno. There will be a combination of Latin music, dancing, singing, and free dance lessons. Entertainers from several places will be on hand, including (but not limited to) Willy Torres, Yemaya Salsa Dance Company, Jas Dance Company, Kathy Reyes, Zeke Rubalcaba. For more information on tickets and seating, visit the CommRow online tickets page. The party will be in Cargo inside CommRow. Doors open t 6 p.m. and the fun gets going at 7 p.m. CommRow is at 255 N. Virginia Street, right next to the Reno Arch.
Cinco de Mayo at Aces Ballpark
Cinco de Mayo is one of the season promotions offered by the Reno Aces during the season. At the May 5 game vs. the Tacoma Rainiers, fans can get a ticket to the sports bar overlook in the Freight House District, a margarita,and a taco plate from Arroyo Mexican Grill for $20. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. You can purchase tickets for this special online.
Cinco de Mayo Weekend Fiesta at The Nugget
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at John Ascuaga's Nugget Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5. The fiesta begins with $5,000 Super Caliente Hot Seat Drawings Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. A traveling Mariachi Band will stroll the casino floor Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests can meet the Jose Cuervo Girls and enjoy $5 margaritas in a commemorative glass and Corona specials all day Friday and Saturday. A South of the Border Buffet will be served at the Rotisserie Buffet Thursday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. The Steakhouse Grille, Restaurante Orozko, John's Oyster Bar and Rosie's Café will be serving Mexican food specials. The Nugget is located at 1100 Nugget Avenue in Sparks.
About Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo in Reno is our annual celebration of Mexican American and south-of-the-border Mexican culture. It is not Mexican Independence Day, but a festival commemorating the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. As celebrated today, Cinco de Mayo is mostly a north-of-the-border fiesta, with not much happening down south except in the Mexican state of Puebla. For the curious, here is some detailed information about the Battle of Puebla and Cinco de Mayo.
