The Southside Lions Club hosts its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration this Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, at El Paseo de Santa Angela with a festive mix of Mexican-flavored foods, entertainment and activities.
This year, the event also features a carnival that will be open from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, May 1-3; from 2 p.m.-midnight Saturday, May 4; and from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, May 5. Tickets are $1 each, and each ride will require four or five tickets. Bracelets that allow unlimited rides will cost $20.

The Lions’ event will include food booths, San Angelo Ballet Azteca dancers, Mariachi Alma Mexicana, and a dance featuring a live deejay. Gates will be open from 5p.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $3. El Paseo is at 20 E. Avenue D.

From noon-5 p.m. Saturday, the activities will include the 4th Annual Thunder in the Conchos car, truck and bike show at the adjacent Farmers Market Pavilion, 16 S. Oakes St. Interested participants can pre-register at Concho Financial Center, 508 W. Concho Ave., for a $30 fee. Registration on the day of the event will cost $35. The car show will also include jalapeno-eating and dance contests.

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. In Mexico, it marks the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

The Southside Lions Club has sponsored an annual Cinco de Mayo celebration for more than 40 years. The event raises funds for Lions projects such as the Texas Lions Camp, the Eye Bank and Eyeglass Recycling Center, and college scholarships.

For more information, call the Southside Lions Club at (325) 656-8166 or the City’s Civic Events Division at (325) 653-9577.

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