Roseland Cinco de Mayo festival returns for 15th anniversary

Santa Rosa’s popular Cinco de Mayo celebration in Roseland will return after a four-year pandemic-era hiatus.

Sylvia Lemus and Caroline Bañuelos, longtime organizers of the event, announced last week the festival would celebrate its 15th anniversary with a big party featuring live performances, food and vendors.

“Our quinceañera, or 15th birthday, was delayed because of the pandemic, but we are happy to celebrate this momentous occasion with the community,” Bañuelos said in the announcement, referring to the coming of age celebration for 15-year-old girls in many Latino communities.

It will take place 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 5, on Sebastopol Road between Dutton and West avenues. The family-friendly event is free to attend.

Organizers had hoped to revive the festival last year but ultimately canceled weeks before it normally took place, stating they were unable to put on a safe event in short notice, which prompted Santa Rosa officials to step in to plan a smaller event.

This time, Lemus said various partners have “stepped up to help” ensuring it proceeds as planned.

The all-volunteer festival committee began meeting in late 2023 to plan this year’s event and they’ve been working with officials in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County, Mitote Food Park and other community organizations.

“We’ve been planning since late last year to make sure we have things for children, that we have food, entertainment, that it’s safe, everything that goes into making a festival,” Lemus said.

Support from the partners illustrates the value they see in the festival and in providing a safe way for residents to gather to celebrate the community’s heritage, Lemus said.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla, a Mexican military victory over the French forces of Napoleon III, but it has become more popular among people in the U.S.

The local festival began in 2006 after years of informal events led to sometimes rowdy crowds and clashes with police.

People celebrate with traditional music, dance performances and food and the event provides a boost to more than 100 vendors who use the event to help promote their business.

In 2019, the last year it was held, the celebration drew about 10,000 to the Roseland Village shopping center on Sebastopol Road where it had been held since its inception.

This year’s celebration will include a street festival on Sebastopol Road with an entertainment stage, food booths and booths with resources from local businesses, civic agencies and nonprofits. A children’s area will be set up at Roseland Village near Mitote.

Entertainment will include performances by mariachi, folklorico, banda and other groups.

Lemus said organizers are still lining up vendors and she encouraged anyone interested in having a booth at the event to apply by April 5. They’re seeking a variety of diverse food options and goods, she said.

Applications and other information about participating or volunteering in the festival can be found online at santarosacincodemayo.com.

Lemus said organizers are looking forward to returning and hope the community turns out to celebrate.

“We’re asking people to put it on their calendar and join us. It will be a great day,” she said.

You can reach Staff Writer Paulina Pineda at 707-521-5268 or paulina.pineda@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @paulinapineda22.