Jesus Ortiz was the Master of Ceremonies during Monterey Park’s 34th Annual Cinco De Mayo celebration held at Barnes Park on May 1st. He welcomed the guests in both Spanish and English. He invited them to joint in the Cinco De Mayo Committee for next year’s event and thanked all of the sponsors. He asked the guests to please do business with the sponsors.

The event featured delicious Mexican foods, drinks and popcorn. Information booths for various services were provided by some of the sponsors.

Raffle tickers were available for purchase to win some wonderful prizes donated by local business owners and residents. The famous Money Hat tickets were also available to win a hat decorated with $100’s in various denominations. The committee will use all of the funds raised to support this event next year.

Members of Ballet Folklorica Esperanza Flores graced the stage with various dances from the Aztec blessing to some of the regional folk dances. Each of the dancers was dressed in colorful regalia to the delight of the audience.

Mayor Peter Chan introduced Congressmember Judy Chu to the guests.

Congressmember Judy Chu thanked the Latino population for their contributions to our city and America. She is working on policies to enhance the lives of the 55 million Latinos that live in our country. We are all welcomed. She wished everyone a Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Congressmember Judy Chu presented a proclamation to Jesus Ortiz with Mayor Peter Chan as a thank you to the committee.

Mayor Peter Chan introduced Assemblymember Ed Chau to the audience.

Assemblymember Ed Chau thanked the committee and the city for this event. He also thanked the performers.

Assemblymember Ed Chau presented a proclamation to Committee Member Gloria Enriquez with Mayor Peter Chan as a thank you to the committee.

Mayor Peter Chan introduced Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Ing, Councilmembers Teresa Real Sebastian, Stephen Lam and Hans Liang and City Clerk Vince Chang to the residents. City Treasurer Joseph Leon was not able to attend this event.

Mayor Peter Chan told the audience today that we celebrate one of our cultures and our heritages that make America so great of a country. Enjoy the day!

Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Ing welcomed everyone to the Barnes Park Amphitheater. We celebrate the Mexican culture with our family. Thank you for coming and enjoy the day!

Councilmember Teresa Real Sebastian welcomed everyone to Monterey Park in both Spanish and English. This day is about family. Celebrate the love of family and culture in Monterey Park. Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Councilmember Stephen Lam greeted the audience in Spanish and English. He emigrated from Hong Kong and learned Spanish.  We are all Americans. It is better for all of us. He thanked the Latinos for their contributions to Monterey Park. Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Councilmember Hans Liang welcomed the guests to Monterey Park. It is his pleasure to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. This is the 34th year of celebration in our city.  The day celebrates a small force of Mexicans who fought to win against the powerful French army. We are a tapestry of our cultures. You need to maintain your culture in Monterey Park. Happy Cinco De Mayo and be safe!

City Clerk Vince Chang greeted the guests in Spanish and English. He is from Ecuador. He thanked the committee and performers. He enjoys our cultural events. He reminded residents to vote in the June 7th primary. You must be registered to vote by May 23rd. He thanked the audience for their attendance.

Carlos Gimenez, from the Mexican Consul of Economic Affairs, greeted the audience in both Spanish and English. He spoke about the Battle of Puebla when Mexico defeated the French, the best army in the world 154 years ago. The celebration is called Cinco De Mayo. Mexican people contribute to this world. Some of them are not recognized. They work for America. They seek education for their children.  He congratulated Monterey Park for their 100-year birthday. He also congratulated the Monterey Park-Morelia Sister City Association for celebrating their 30th anniversary.

Congressmember Judy Chu, Assemblymember Ed Chau, Mayor Peter Chan, Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Ing, Councilmembers Teresa Real Sebastian, Stephen Lam and Hans Liang and City Clerk Vince Chang joined the audience in our National Anthem.

Famous Mexican singer Ruben Hoyos sang the Mexican National Anthem in the presence of Congressmember Judy Chu, Assemblymember Ed Chau, Consul Carlos Gimenez, Mayor Peter Chan, Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Ing, Councilmembers Teresa Real Sebastian, Stephen Lam and Hans Liang and City Clerk Vince Chang as the audience stood at attention as part of this Mexican-American celebration.

Lupita Infante, granddaughter of the famous Pedro Infante serenaded the audience with several Spanish songs in the company of her band members Jose Uriza, Albert Jimenez and Froylan Gutierrez to the enjoyment of the crowd.

Jesus Campos and Jose Luis Campos joined together on staged dressed in glittering cowboy regalia. They wowed the audience with their beautiful voices.

Members of Grupo Tropical “Fontana Show” performed several songs for the audience to dance to their beat.

Several members of the audience joined on the dance floor. The audience picked the winning couple by their applause. They received trophies from the committee.

Some of the children had their faces or arms painted By Love, RAMOS.

Mary Jane Sloan modeled the Money Hat with Victoria Chavez.

Connie Morales was the lucky winner as Victoria Chavez placed the Money Hat on her head.

Members of Mariachi Relampago played and sang famous Mexican folk songs to the pleasure of the crowd.

The afternoon in Barnes Park was filled with the sounds and tastes of the Mexican culture.