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Phoenix's Largest Street Festival and Multicultural Event

Phoenix has been a go-to travel destination in the Southwestern United States since the first high-end spas opened in the 1930’s. It’s the cultural heart of the region, offering visitors attractions such as the Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, and Arizona Theater Company. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a variety of things to do in areas such as the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Whether you're watching a sunset from a hot air balloon or taking in the vibrant nightlife, Phoenix is the perfect fit for your next getaway.

 

Cinco Phoenix is the city's biggest multicultural celebration, and it’s been running for nearly two and a half decades. It will take place May 7 at the intersection of Washington Street and 1st Avenue in Downtown Phoenix. The event is the city’s largest street festival, and organizers expect around 35,000 attendees. Visitors will encounter non-stop entertainment including live music performed by War, Tierra, and Brenton Wood, and Lucha Libre wrestling. Talented local dance troupes will perform Ballet Folklorico (traditional Mexican folk dancing), and sponsors will be handing out a variety of free prizes as giveaways. Cinco Phoenix is ideal for the entire family and kids will have a blast with the Kids Zone’s rides and games. A portion of the event's proceeds will go to the Grand Canyon University Scholarship Foundation, which provides a variety of scholarships to students in the area. We got the chance to interview Carmen Love, a representative of the event, to learn more about this great multicultural celebration.

 

RAL: How long has the event been running?

CL: 2017 marks the 24th Annual Cinco Phoenix Festival!

 

RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?

CL: In the past, we’ve seen between 25,000-40,000 attendants over the course of the two-day festival. In 2016, we welcomed over 35,000 attendees!

 

RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?

CL: Everyone! We see a lot of families during the day, as we feature a free Kids Area and free admission for kids 5 and under. In the evening, the festival turns into a nightlife venue, and we party with the 21+ crowd of friends and couples.

 

RAL: What makes this event unique?

CL: Besides being the longest-running event of its kind, Cinco Phoenix is also the largest block party and street festival in Downtown Phoenix – we shut down a major street (Washington) and bring entertainment that people of all ages enjoy. Additionally, the event is organized by a local agency that is minority-owned and operated, and we raise money for scholarships awarded to college-bound students.

 

RAL: Take me through the activities of a day at the event.

CL: The Kids Area includes free bounce houses, games, and activities. This year, the Phoenix Fridas, a group of local Latina artists, will be live painting throughout the afternoon and will have a craft activitiy for the kids between 1-3:00 pm. Our vendors and sponsors always have great prizes and giveaways, and we feature live Lucha Libre and Ballet Folklorico.

 

RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?

CL: Local TV and radio personalities, as well as local and state dignitaries often visit this downtown staple event and cultural festival.

 

RAL: What dining options will attendees encounter?

CL: Cinco Phoenix features classic festival fare, in addition to traditional Mexican food like tacos, Sonoran hot dogs, elotes, fruta preparada, aguas frescas, and other culinary delights!

 

RAL: What is the environment like?

CL: Street festival with diverse traditional performances and activities throughout the day, and live outdoor concert at night!

 

RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?

CL: There are many places to stay in Downtown Phoenix, including unique boutique hotels. It’s a diverse area that has experienced a surge in growth and renovations over the past decade.

 

RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?

CL: This event is huge for our vendors and local businesses – this large-scale event helps growing businesses introduce themselves to consumers and the marketplace, and is crucial for marketing and word-of-mouth advertising. In today’s social media atmosphere, consumers rely on photos and influencer’s social accounts for food, retail, other recommendations before making purchases. Cinco offers the perfect environment for consumers to sample a variety of new foods, check out accessories or products in-person, and take photos for Instagram and Facebook during their adventure! Our vendors can cash in on the opportunity to engage and connect with people whom may otherwise have never stumbled over to their neck of the woods, plus their friends who then see the photos and rave reviews on social media.

 

RAL: Does the event support a special cause in the community?

CL: Yes, Cinco Phoenix partners with the Grand Canyon University Scholarship Foundation to raise funds for scholarships. Over $500,000 have been awarded throughout the history of this scholarship program.

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

CL: No matter your age, there’s something for you to taste, see, hear, and check out at Cinco Phoenix!


For more information about Cinco Phoenix, please visit the event website.