LOCAL COLOR
Cinco de Mayo fest features 45 artists, live music
After a year off, Kenny Chavez and David Fisher are ready to bring the Cinco de Mayo Fest back.
The couple are presenting the 11th iteration of festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Farm & Table.
There will be 45 local arts and crafts vendors.
Chavez says eventgoers will be able to find jewelry, paintings and recycled art, as well as listen to live music by Alpha Blue and Mariachi Alma.
“We are elated to present this amazing festival for the 11th year,” says Chavez, co-founder of the event. “This is a wonderful opportunity for families to come to a beautiful space in Albuquerque and enjoy great food and to support local art and artists.”
Chavez says the fair began with him and his partner, Fisher, as a takeoff from Steve White’s “Yardfest” with a small show in our backyard in Nob Hill in 2006.
“We moved to David and Celeste’s Medina’s home in the Los Griegos neighborhood for two years, where the show grew and became ‘Luv Your Mama’ and then ‘Kenny Chavez’ Cinco de Mayo Folk Art & Music Festival,’” he says. “In 2009, the festival moved over to La Parada, which now is the location of both La Parada Mercantile and Farm & Table Restaurant. The festival has evolved into its own event to include a contest and live music. We had 25 artists when we started and have grown to 45 artists.”
Building the sense of community is important for Chavez.
In fact, three of the original artists at the festival are participating this year.
“Along with myself, those three artists include Goldie Garcia, Michelle Montano and Tami Sioux,” he says. “All other artists joined us through the years. Of the 45 artists we currently have, 13 of the new artists came because they heard we have a great festival so they (thought they would) give it a try. All other artists return because they love the venue.”
Because the festival is outdoors, Chavez says, the weather is always a factor.
“If it is a sunny, beautiful day, the event runs smoothly and is a heavily attended, successful festival,” he says. “The second challenge would be the parking, with more and more people to accommodate as the event has grown.”