This year, Cinco de Mayo was celebrated a couple days early in San Diego’s festive Gaslamp Quarter. And I’d like to share a collection of photographs!
Entertainment on a couple of stages, exciting Mexican lucha libre wrestling, “Fast and the Furriest” dog races, cool lowrider cars, a beer garden, tasty food… People smiling, laughing, dancing, enjoying a good time…
It was a bit amusing to see so many people in business attire at this very casual, family event. Around lunchtime, a small army of professionals had streamed up Fifth Avenue from the San Diego Convention Center, where the Digestive Disease Week 2025 conference is being held. Gaslamp restaurants were packed!
The guy with the typewriter in the next photo wrote a poem about “Dog Races” for me. A shout out to creators who strive for truth.
Karl M. Stout (@astrotheosis) completed his poem: …the friends we made along the way.
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A huge lucha libre audience looked on with amazement as the unforeseen happened in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter during today’s Cinco de Mayo celebration!
The first high-flying match was amazing, as exciting as anything you’ll see on television or in a big arena. The luchadores of World Power Wrestling (WPW) entertained everyone with their moves, and the good guy (despite having his mask removed and eyes viciously raked when the official wasn’t looking) was victorious!
That wasn’t the big surprise, however. That came in the second match.
Miguel Lopez, General Manager of Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, took to the ring with two other wrestlers, promoting his establishment. As the two wrestlers (one appearing like an evil clown) began to grapple, Miguel suddenly removed his outer clothing and revealed his lucha libre costume! Like a sudden flash of lightning he decimated the evil clown!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
In recent years, locals artists, many of whom belong to the Escondido Art Association, have been working diligently to beautify Escondido. Some of these artists were on hand yesterday during the Cinco de Mayo event in Grape Day Park!
A variety of community projects have been undertaken by these inspired artists. You might recall a blog post in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Concrete barriers along Grand Avenue were colorfully painted by Beautify Escondido. Later, an alley south of Grand Avenue would turn into an amazing outdoor gallery, featuring the murals of Esco Alley Art.
Suzanne Nicolaisen (aka Zanniki), one of the leaders of these efforts, was present at the Cinco de Mayo festival. She and others were showcasing their artwork, painting live, and promoting the beautification of Escondido.
Not only does creativity flow from these generous artists, but expanding ripples of happiness and positivity. They are true community heroes!
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
The North County Cinco de Mayo Festival brought exuberant life to Grape Day Park in Escondido today. The annual event, produced by USA Multicultural, was said to be bigger than ever. And I believe it!
Those arriving from around San Diego’s North County enjoyed Mariachis, different groups of colorful folklórico dancers, great singers, and other (mostly) Mexican cultural entertainment.
And tons of food, of every description, everywhere! (I succumbed to the temptation of a scrumptious carne asada quesadilla.)
Nonprofit community organizations were also on hand, and more than a few artists were showing their work. Beautify Escondido was present, too. I’ll be blogging about their efforts next.
Enjoy this collection of photographs!
The 2024 North County Cinco de Mayo Festival gets started on a late Sunday afternoon at Escondido’s Grape Day Park.The National Anthems of both Mexico and the United States begin the Cinco de Mayo program.Mariachi Del Mar/Rio kick off the main stage entertainment.Mariachis perform at a second, smaller stage across the grass.The crowd grows as the Cinco de Mayo event continues.The House of Mexico had a smiling representative at the festival!Colorful art from Mexico’s state of Nayarit.Ms. USA Multicultural poses for a photo.Lots of cool art could be enjoyed courtesy of Beautify Escondido.Irma Gogova (@irmagogovatattoo_art) smiles near a cosmic work of art she created!Lots of diverse food to eat at the event.Loteria aprons! Awesome!Young people perform up on the festive stage.Young vaqueros dance on the main stage.
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
Cinco de Mayo is being celebrated all this weekend in Old Town San Diego!
I walked around Old Town today to experience the energy. I observed a big crowd wandering through the State Park, navigating San Diego Avenue’s sidewalks, and dining in festive Mexican restaurants. Many people were smiling!
This year Cinco de Mayo is scaled down. I was told it’s for financial reasons. San Diego Avenue is not closed to traffic as it usually is, and there are no stages on the street with live performances. But that hasn’t stopped this fun annual fiesta!
As I meandered about, I took some photographs that you might enjoy…
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
My camera recorded a number of unique events back in May 2018, from Cinco de Mayo in Balboa Park, to Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach, to the historic centennial flight of the United States Air Mail at Gillespie Field!
Big crowds are coming out this weekend for Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo! The popular festival is taking place on San Diego Avenue, between Conde Street and Twiggs Street.
I took loads of photos today!
Look at all the colorful fun! There’s a Lowrider Lane with cool bicycles, awesome motorcycles and a bunch of modified Volkswagens! There’s tons of yummy food, many smiling vendors, plus entertainment on a main stage.
I saw joyful, twirling Mexican baile folklórico dancing at the Cafe Coyote Stage, then grabbed two buttery, freshly made warm tortillas at Cafe Coyote across the street.
As I wandered about, I discovered representatives from the Mormon Battalion Historic Site in the small park behind the Whaley House. They were teaching people frontier dances, recalling their part of early San Diego history, and engaged in various fun activities.
During much of the day, at the top of each hour, there’s an exciting Lucha Libre match. I watched with dismay as the bad guys defeated the crowd-favorite good guys with a series of wicked body slams and wrestling moves, plus, of course, some villainous cheating. Fortunately, a rematch was promised, and I’m sure the good guys would be victorious later in the day!
Thanks to the STAR 94.1 radio guys for the prize!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Cinco de Mayo is being celebrated this weekend in Old Town!
A good crowd was enjoying the colorful fiesta along San Diego Avenue when I arrived today in the early afternoon.
In addition to vendors selling food, crafts, assorted gifts and goodies, Mexican baile folklórico dancers and mariachis could be found along the street providing lively entertainment! And I spotted friendly local chalk artist Cecelia Linayao creating some art by one sidewalk!
Lots of diners were at the various Mexican eateries that line San Diego Avenue, and I was sorely tempted to buy a fresh handmade tortilla!
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t completely over, so everyone at the popular Old Town festival is asked to wear a face mask and engage in social distancing.
I took these photos to capture some of the fun!
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This afternoon I strolled through Old Town and captured photos of the big 10th Annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. I began in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, headed south along San Diego Avenue, then turned to make my way back to the State Park.
According to a Park Ranger, Cinco de Mayo is by far the most popular event in Old Town San Diego. I saw many families strolling about enjoying the colorful sights, Mexican food and cultural entertainment.
There was a folklorico competition and lucha libre demonstrations (which I missed), giant puppets, Aztec dancers, kids’ crafts, mariachi music, and authentic Mexican food at every turn. There were many people in traditional Mexican dress and others in period costume from the early days of San Diego. I enjoyed checking out a bunch of sweet lowrider cars and a row of shiny, customized kids’ bikes that were definitely super cool. I paused to visit the donkeys near Seeley Stable, guys hammering red hot iron in the blacksmith shop, a silly street performer with a plunger on his head, and a gentleman in La Casa de Estudillo who was playing frontier games of chance against all comers. As I walked about I even spotted some chalk art.
There was so much to see, I didn’t know where to turn next!
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Talented floreador Miguel Bautista performs rope tricks in Balboa Park during Cinco de Mayo!
Today was the first time I’ve gone to a big, festive Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park. What fun!
In the early afternoon I wandered down El Prado to absorb the general flavor of the event, but I spent most of my time watching cultural performances in the Plaza de Panama. The day’s highlight in my opinion was the noontime equestrian parade and rope handling entertainment.
I’ve included some fascinating info in my photo captions!
The festive 2018 Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park was the scene of great pageantry and life today!
Many traditional Mexican costumes, crafts and entertaining activities filled the Plaza de Panama.
Ballet folklorico dancers with the community group La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego entertain a crowd in Balboa Park during Cinco de Mayo.
Buoyant traditional Mexican music is provided by City Heights Mariachi, an ensemble that welcomes all ages. They are actively seeking trumpet players!
Many people in diverse and colorful garb were in the audience.
The noon Equestrian Procession is entering the Plaza de Panama! The group is called Escaramuza Charra las Golondrinas.
Riders on horseback wear various traditional costumes. The caballero carrying the American flag is in the gala dress of a charro.
Circling in the Plaza de Panama so that all can enjoy.
The equestrian group’s floreador performs elaborate rope tricks for the crowd.
Great agility and showmanship on display.
Performing more amazing rope tricks up on the back of his horse!
This cool lowrider was out in the plaza. It’s a 1958 Chevy Del Ray Sedan Delivery painted with flames!
Several Balboa Park museums and organizations had tables in the plaza where kids could create Cinco de Mayo-themed artwork.
Many food trucks were lining El Prado!
When not on the main stage, City Heights Mariachi did some more entertaining along El Prado.
At one o’clock there was a Traditional Dress Showcase with models wearing regional attire from different Mexican states.
The various traditional Mexican dresses were from the Olga de la Vega private collection.
I believe this was said to be a dress from the Michoacán region. The shawl is an important aspect of the attire–it is used to send social signals.
Dress from the Mexican state of Guerrero, if my notes are correct. Images in the fabric include flowers and jaguars.
Abundant color and pageantry filled the Plaza de Panama during the 2018 Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
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