Cinco de Mayo Hot Air
Balloon Festival in Douglas


Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 2:55 PM MST


Plans are underway for what may well become


Douglas trademark event. The

Cochise County Fair Association, sponsors

of the county fair, the largest event in

Cochise county, will sponsor the First Annual

Cinco de Mayo Hot Air Balloon Festival

at the Cochise county fairgrounds, the weekend

of April 30th through May 1st.

The center piece of the weekend is the hot air balloon flights that will take to the air at daybreak on Saturday

and Sunday morning, weather permitting. Corporate balloon

sponsorships are available and include a ride for two in

their sponsored balloon, corporate spotlight in advertisements,

a welcome party and a booth at the event. The traditional

evening “glow” event, a favorite of photographers,

will take place after sundown, when balloons remain aglow

creating an awesome sight.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory over

the French in the battle of Puebla of 1862. Areenactment of

this famous battle performed by students from local schools,

and sponsored by Mexican Consul in Douglas, Oscar de la

Torre, will be an educational highlight on Saturday afternoon.

The performance will be simultaneously translated for

attendees from Spanish to English.

Additional events include a “Children of All Ages” First

Annual Artistic Kite Flying Contest. Contestants fly their

version of a homemade kite or a decorated store bought kite.

Categories include eight years old or under, nine to eleven,

twelve to fifteen, and sixteen and older. Saturday morning

also offers a battle of rock bands, plus dancing under the stars

that evening with the XS Band from Queen Creek band from

6 to 10PM. Apancake breakfast, food and vendors round off

the event.

“This is truly a unique family event with wonderful activities

for all ages from adults to kids. Initial reaction from the

public to this idea has been overwhelmingly positive. We are

still working on other attractions and we will post updates on

our website as the event dates gets closer,” stated Karen

Strongin, executive director of the Cochise County Fair Association.

For sponsorship information or questions visit

www.cochisefair.org or call the Cochise County Fair Association

office at 520-364-3819 or contact Carlos Valenzuela at

carlos@getcarlos.com or call at (520) -220-6221

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    carlos wrote on May 1, 2011 1:00 AM:

    " just enjoy the festival and the culture, learn about other cultures and be happy we are people all of us, some people is white some black some mexican, asian, but we are people sharing cultures is facinating for me, celebrate is something really god, enjoy the celebrations, the people the diferent things.

    just enjoy it!!!!! "

    PatrioticMom wrote on Mar 21, 2011 10:29 AM:

    " To: ihatetheusa and FP: Maybe the USA had some issues in the past but what about mexico NOW? They STILL enslave, exploit, kill, turn the other way when people are killed, and their entire government is corrupt, even the police officers run in fear from the cartel and your telling me we should celebrate mexico's holidays? Sorry, they can have their own balloon festival. "

    Mortimer wrote on Mar 9, 2011 7:18 PM:

    " Hey "ihatetheusa" - that door swings both ways, both north and south. Take it south and see how well you're treated down there. People are dumb... "

    To PatrioticMom wrote on Mar 8, 2011 6:47 PM:

    " You are right in getting upset, I am an American/Mexican mom. You want to know something funny? Mexico doesn't even celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Only the U.S.A. it's just a huge commercial for the beer. My grandma, bless her 89 years old heart has never celebrated this day and has lived her whole life in Mexico. What a whoot :) "

    FP wrote on Mar 5, 2011 8:16 AM:

    " "PatrioticMom"--HATEtrioticMom--First it's the Holy Bible used as a weapon, not through your own cowardness & weaknesses, you dare use Patriotism. Learn to respect others for whom they are and you will be forgiven for being a pathetic, weak, miserable bigot! Milestones in our country, do you mean like Slaves on the Plantations or is your biggest fear the reversal of roles! Get A Real Life, your tea bag is starting to smell!!!!!!! "

    Jesse Helms wrote on Mar 4, 2011 3:28 PM:

    " Why can't we just have a Hot Air Balloon Festival? Why does it have to be associated with Mexican victory over the French? This makes about as much sense as having an SB1070 party in Mexico! "

    ihatetheusa wrote on Mar 4, 2011 8:41 AM:

    " hey, um patrioticmom arizona was part of mexico from the begining anyway. people are dumb. "

    Carlos Valenzuela wrote on Mar 2, 2011 8:45 PM:

    " There is a great Fourth of July parade, fireworks, carnival, booths and booths each year. The best parade in Douglas, in my opinion, is the Veteran's Day Parade. Other American traditions well celebrated in Douglas include Halloween, with hundreds of kids at the 8th Street park. Each year there is a Memorial Day bike ride sponsored by the Gadsden Hotel and a Golf Tournament hosted by the City of Douglas.
    Most of these events are put on by volunteers. If you wish to add to American traditions, consider volunteering for your favorite national holiday, most local events are worked by community volunteers. "

    PatrioticMom wrote on Feb 27, 2011 9:06 AM:

    " I'm all for community events but I find it irritating that the one event we have is a mexican holiday celebration? And to add to that - we will be so lucky that the events will be translated to english for those of us who dont speak spanish....are you kidding me? Last I checked whether on the border or not - Arizona, including douglas is part of the UNITED STATES! Shouldnt we have events celebrating milestones in our own country? shouldnt we have re-enactments of our own ancestor's acts of sacrifice? And even if more than half of the residents here are of mexican decent maybe they should learn about the country they are living in and benefiting from? This is ridiculous, have some pride in the country you live in! "

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