There have been a number of changes to Delavan’s Cinco de Mayo Fest since its inception a quarter century ago. From one year to the next, however, there has been an overarching goal that has been at the heart of the event that has brought people to the community from far and wide.
“It’s all about bringing people together — all creeds and races and religions,” says Pedro Godina, the current event organizer. “We’re all together, we’re enjoying each other’s company and we’re having fun.”
This year, the Delavan Cinco de Mayo Fest will be held Friday, May 1; Saturday, May 2; and Sunday, May 3. Details and updates on this year’s itinerary are being posted on the official Facebook page.
Pedro’s mom, Elena P. Godina, is credited with bringing a Cinco de Mayo Fest to Delavan 25 years ago. The seeds for a large-scale, three-day extravaganza were planted at St. AndrewCatholic Church, a local congregation known for its deep historical roots and diverse parish community.
Elena, who passed away in 2022, was inspired to create an event to pay homage to the Hispanic community — locally and beyond. Her name is prominently featured throughout the event as a tribute to the legacy she left behind.
“Since she’s the one who started it, we’re going to celebrate life in her honor and give thanks to the Lord and everyone who is celebrating with us,” Pedro says. As a tribute to his mom’s lasting legacy, and an expression of his faith, Pedro has been overseeing many of the logistics behind the annual celebration in more recent years. Planning, he says, is an extensive effort that goes far beyond the first weekend in May.
Over time, additions have been made to the Delavan Cinco de Mayo Fest, and Pedro says more are in store in the years ahead. A crowd-pleaser last year — a carnival — is coming back for year two.
“That was such a blessing. Twenty-four years later, to have a carnival — that’s a milestone,” Pedro says. “The goal is to make the Cinco de Mayo celebration bigger and better every year, and that’s what we’ve been doing.”
Prior to the carnival’s introduction, Pedro says an average of 6,000 people have been coming to the Delavan Cinco de May Fest over the course of the three days. Attendance grew last year, he adds, and hopes are high the trajectory will continue this year and beyond.
One of the marquee events at this year’s extravaganza, the parade, is taking place at 10 a.m. Sunday, with a line-up starting at 7th and Washington streets in the heart of the city. A march to the park will take place, with a Mass service planned afterward.
“We’re going to have dancers, we’re going to have bands — it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Pedro says.
A number of different vendors will also be a big part of this year’s festival. Some are local, while others hail from larger communities in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. A few are coming from as far away as Kansas and Montana.
“I love my vendors,” Pedro says. “They come from everywhere and spend time with us here in Delavan.”
For all attendees — people who make it an annual tradition, and people putting it on their calendar for the first time this year — Pedro says he has one wish when asked what he hopes people take away from the experience.
“The culture that we embrace. The culture that brings us together. The culture that has been living for many, many, many years,” he explains. “We love sharing it with everybody.”
Putting on an event on the scale of the Delavan Cinco de Mayo Fest requires a lot of time and energy, but Pedro says it’s a true labor of love that extends from his faith.
“This is an opportunity to serve my community and make it better,” he says.
