Downtown Goes All Out for Cinco De Mayo Fiesta

A group of friends celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Atlas Saloon Brewery. Photo Courtney Cole

The Downtown Excelsior Partnership (DEP) welcomed everyone into the downtown on Friday to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the public turned out! There were people walking up and down both sides of the streets, with crowds outside each of the restaurants. This was a part of a new event that DEP was trying out, celebrating with a “Street Party” that featured Mexican inspired food, drinks, items and games throughout the downtown business community.

BluBox Boutique Owner Mindy Myers said that she sold out of her drink pouches in ten minutes! She came up with the idea the night before and says it’s something she’ll definitely consider doing again in the future. One customer said that she loved hers and thought it was a great idea! Mindy gave all the proceeds of her sales to the DEP fundraiser for Lithia Landing.

There was a noticeable crowd around Ray’s Diner as attendees picked up their street tacos! Photo Courtney Cole.

Ray’s Diner knocked it out of the park with their Carnitas Tostadas, Scratch Pintos & Cheese, Mexican Street Corn, and Agua Fresca! There was a large crowd gathered around the front of their restaurant ready to dig into the delicious food. Other restaurants participating were Willow Spring Mercantile, offering a lunch with Homemade Spike Rum Horchata, Street Tacos, Sangrias, and Tres Leche Cake. Other Trails Coffeeshop offered Margarita Cookies, Sombrero Hat Cookies, Apple Berry Salsa & Cinnamon Chips, Una Fiesta Lattes, and Pinata Lattes.

Linda Pasalich, co-owner of Other Trails, takes a cookie sombrero out of the case for Cinco de Mayo! Photo Courtney Cole

The wineries and drinkeries were on board, too! Atlas Saloon Brewery served drink specials all day and then had a late night taco bar that ran from 10pm-midnight. Casa di Vite were serving Sangrias in their new outdoor garden space. Pairings by Van Till were serving up Citrus Sangria Slushies and offered Cinco De Mayo Themed Charcuterie Boards that were made available all weekend. Excelsior’s newest winery, Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery on Shoemaker Road served Frozen Margaritas, Sangrias and Wine, Bottomless Chips and Salsa AND Cheese Dip with Alcoholic Beverage Purchases.

Other businesses participating included Slightly Off Broadway Theatre, with their last showing of the Church Basement Ladies run. Mind, Body, and Soap Co. offered Margarita Soap on Special and offered Free Margarita Guest Soap with every purchase. The ladies at Knit Ewe Together were having fun offering Free Fiesta Gift with Purchase, including a taco bag or knitted taco keychain!

Shawna Stombaugh owner of Knit Ewe Together poses for a pic in the middle of their fiesta for Cinco De Mayo — Shawna Stombaugh, owner of Knit Ewe Together, shares her specials for Cinco de Mayo. Photo Courtney Cole

Style by Ry had a fun photo booth setup and were taking Polaroid pics! On her counter are some handmade candles that are sold by eleven year old Camden Johnson who created the business after making candles in various scents as a hobby. Now he’s turned it into a small business, CJ’s Scents Candle Co. and works in partnership with fellow young man, Zander Wilkins, who helps him make and market the candles. You can pick up your favorite scent or request that one you want be made!

In addition to the new Cinco De Mayo Street Party, DEP hosted “Witch Way to the Wine” back in October that seemed to be a hit, too! Watch for more exciting things to come as we roll into the summer season! Keep up with all the great downtown events by visiting DEP’s website at visitexcelsior.com.