Cinco de Mayo Con Orgullo (With Pride) Festival Soars to New Heights

Alcohol-and-Tobacco-Free Celebration Marks 10-Year Anniversary; Honors Seven Outstanding Hispanic Role Models

Cinco de Mayo con Orgullo (with Pride) Coalition will mark the 10th anniversary of its signature cultural festival: an alcohol-and-tobacco-free community celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. A direct challenge to conventional marketing trends linking Cinco de Mayo parties to alcohol consumption, Cinco de Mayo con Orgullo is an affirmation of the coalition’s mission to create a safe and alcohol-free celebration for the entire community.

The festival is hosted by the Cinco de Mayo con Orgullo (with Pride) Coalition, an organization comprised of a spectrum of Mid-City community members, including parents, youth, businesses, schools, media, health organizations, law enforcement and local government. The coalition is a project of SAY San Diego.

For the first time in the event’s history, the coalition will honor seven community leaders as Outstanding Hispanic Role Models, Thursday, May 5, 2011 from 3 to 7 pm during an awards ceremony beginning at 6 pm., at the Urban Village Park, 3795 Fairmount Avenue, San Diego.

Cinco de Mayo con Orgullo provides an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the joy of Cinco de Mayo in a fun-filled, family-friendly environment.

This year’s festival will honor seven Outstanding Hispanic Role Models. Recognized for their invaluable contributions to promoting an alcohol-and-drug-free environment in the City Heights community, the 2011 award recipients are:

• Remedios Gómez Arnau, Cónsul General of México in San Diego

• Gabriel Castro- Director of Promotions, MVS Radio Station

• Enrique Gandarilla- Executive Director, City Heights Business Association