Celebrate Cinco De Mayo in Kewanee on May 2nd at Northeast Park

Northeast Park in Kewanee will host a vibrant Cinco de Mayo Festival on Saturday, May 2nd, from noon to 5 PM. This community event promises a lively afternoon filled with regional Mexican music, family-friendly activities, health screenings, and a variety of food options ranging from tacos and gorditas to cupcakes and aguas frescas. A children’s entrepreneurs market, bounce houses, raffles, and unique contests like the chancla toss are featured highlights. Local youth volunteers and numerous sponsors have joined forces with the event committee to ensure a memorable celebration of Mexican heritage, culture, and community pride for attendees of all ages.

Organized by the Kewanee Commission on Human Relations, the event highlights Mexican culture and heritage through live music, interactive activities, and a diverse lineup of local food vendors. DJ Cano and the Trece De Junio Tamborazo Group will deliver continuous entertainment, while families can enjoy bounce houses, face painting, and games. A health fair offers free screenings and educational resources. Generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers ensure this cultural gathering remains inclusive and welcoming for all ages.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the 1862 victory at the Battle of Puebla

Mexican heritage took center stage in Kewanee as the community commemorated Cinco de Mayo, marking the Mexican army’s famed 1862 victory at the Battle of Puebla. The festivities, led by Adri Landeros of the Kewanee Commission on Human Relations, showcased cultural pride through music, food, and local performances. The organizing committee—featuring Alondra Garcia, Esmeralda Paredes, Janet Silva, Alexandra Garcia Aguilera, Yadira Valtierra, Estrella Morado, and Santos Contreras—highlighted unity and collaborative spirit. Kasey Mitchell, former city clerk and now city manager, played a pivotal role behind the scenes, ensuring smooth logistics and coordination for this lively celebration.

The day kicks off at noon with DJ Cano and includes a health fair and a young entrepreneurs market

DJ Cano kicks things off at noon with popular beats, followed by the lively Trece De Junio Tamborazo Group, known for their energetic brass and percussion. Health takes the spotlight with free screenings, therapy demonstrations, and a mobile blood donation unit hosted in partnership with local medical organizations. Children’s activities include bounce houses, a soccer dart game, and a special market for young entrepreneurs. Social media participants and health fair attendees have a chance to win a $100 Moore Tires gift card, with the winner revealed at 3:30 PM.

Volunteers keep the celebration going

Students from Central Junior High, Kewanee High School, and Weathersfield High School will be volunteering at an upcoming community event, focusing on safety and the supervision of inflatable attractions. Organizers say the student volunteers are trained to monitor the inflatables, keeping young visitors safe while ensuring the equipment runs smoothly. Thank you to all volunteers who help keep the celebration going each year.

There are many, many food and shopping options this year

A vibrant community celebration is underway, drawing families and visitors from across the region with an impressive array of food options—from tacos, gorditas, ceviche, and loaded nacho fries to cupcakes and fresas con crema. Throughout the festivities, lucky attendees have a chance to win prizes, including handmade piñatas, flower bouquets, a special Mother’s Day gift from Floressa, Walmart gift cards, Becks gas cards, and even two bicycles courtesy of Daily Fix Nutrition. The event continues to build on its reputation for cultural pride and meaningful community engagement, marking it as a must-attend tradition for people of all ages.

“Visit the Cinco De Mayo Festival Facebook Page for more information.”

KEWANEE, IL — Saturday, May 2, 2026 — The public is invited to attend the Cinco de Mayo Festival on Saturday, May 2nd from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Northeast Park. This year’s celebration will feature live entertainment, cultural food, a health fair, youth entrepreneurship opportunities, community giveaways, and family-friendly activities designed for all ages.

The event committee would like to extend a special thank you to local media outlets and representatives, including Jennifer Russell (Tri-County Regional Media News), Andy Fremac of 106.3 FM (El Mornin Chou), and Elizabeth Jamison (The Kewanee Voice), for providing the opportunity to share information and help promote this year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. Today, it is recognized as a celebration of Mexican heritage, culture, and community pride.

The event is chaired by Adri Landeros, Commissioner for the Kewanee Commission on Human Relations, alongside committee members Alondra Garcia, Esmeralda Paredes, Janet Silva, Alexandra Garcia Aguilera, Yadira Valtierra, Estrella Morado, and Santos Contreras. The committee also recognizes Kasey Mitchell, former city clerk and current city manager, for her logistical and operational support in coordinating supplies, vendor payments, and overall event organization.

This event is made possible through the support of generous sponsors.

Gold Sponsors: Kewanee CHR, Kewanee Park District, Daily Fix Nutrition, Birds Eye View, American Steele Carports, Azteca De Oro, Tamborazo 13 De Junio, La Concepcion

Silver Sponsors: Quad City Bouncy, Gustafson Kewanee, OSF Healthcare, La Tentación

Bronze Sponsors: SK Contreras Construction, Kinsella Porter Potties, Spoon River Landscape, Ramirez Detailing, Cano Designs, DJ Cano, Los Ranchitos Mexican Restaurant, Timeout, Tanks Auto Body, Abilities Plus, Moore Tires, LC Midwest Rentals, Walmart, Becks, Floressa

Sponsors help make this event possible and support programming for families, youth, and visitors. SK Contreras Construction and LC Midwest Rentals will also host interactive activities during the event.

Live entertainment will be featured throughout the day. DJ Cano will perform from 12:00–1:00 p.m. and 2:30–3:30 p.m. The Trece De Junio Tamborazo Group will perform from 1:00–2:30 p.m. and 3:30–5:00 p.m., bringing high-energy regional Mexican music featuring brass and percussion.

A health fair will be hosted in partnership with OSF Healthcare, Hammond-Henry Hospital, ImpactLife, Henry & Stark County Health Department, and First Choice Healthcare Clinics. Activities include free screenings for blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol, physical therapy demonstrations, blood donation opportunities via mobile unit, and health education resources and children’s activities.

Participants may enter a raffle for a $100 Moore Tires gift card by engaging in the event’s social media promotion and participating in the health fair. The winner will be announced at 3:30 p.m.

The event includes a wide range of family-friendly programming including bounce houses, an inflatable soccer dart game, a Children Entrepreneurs Market for ages 7–17, face painting, balloon art by Toto Johnson, community activities hosted by Abilities Plus and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, a photo backdrop area, potato sack races, and a chancla tossing game.

Volunteer support will be provided by students from Central Junior High, Kewanee High School, and Weathersfield High School to assist with safety and inflatable supervision.

Attendees will enjoy a wide variety of food options including tacos, tortas, burritos, gorditas, arepas, quesadillas, pozole, ceviche, aguachiles, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken wings, smash burger tacos, Philly cheesesteak eggrolls, fries, loaded nacho fries, fruit cups, corn in a cup, tostilocos, dorilocos, tostielote, mini pancakes, cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, fresas con crema, aguas frescas, lemonade, Jarritos, Squirt, and more.

Throughout the day, attendees will have opportunities to win custom handmade piñatas, flower bouquets, a Mother’s Day gift donated by Floressa, Walmart gift cards, gas cards from Becks, and two bicycles donated by Daily Fix Nutrition.

This event continues to grow as a regional celebration bringing together families, visitors, and participants from surrounding areas for a day of cultural pride, entertainment, and community engagement.

Event Details:
📍 Northeast Park
📅 Saturday, May 2, 2026
🕛 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

This event is open to all and welcomes attendees from across the region.