Pillette Village Celebrates Successful Third Annual Cinco de Mayo

Saturday May 3rd, 2014, 7:06pm

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The rain put no hold on Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Pillette Village this afternoon.

Cinco de Mayo is a Spanish term for fifth of May and is a Mexican/American holiday celebrated throughout the Mexican community. The celebration was brought to Pillette Village when Palenque Fresh Mexican Cuisine came to the area three years ago.

“They were going to do something anyway,” said Greg Plante, president of the Pillette Village BIA. “It was kind of an event that was not really celebrated anywhere else in any of the other business districts so kind of to welcome them to the neighborhood we decided to throw a celebration and people had a really great time.”

Francois Dominguez, chef and owner of Palenque Fresh Mexican Cuisine said when their restaurant came to the area, there wasn’t much else available for food. To be welcomed to the area with a holiday of their own heritage, Dominguez said was humbling.

“I feel great because I think we need some more of these kinds of festivities in Windsor for the community,” said Dominguez. “Windsor is multi-cultural city, you’ve got people from everywhere in the world … I’m very happy that we’re doing these kinds of events here in Windsor.”

Plante said the event was a great way to bring people down to the smaller businesses in the area and show them all the “great merchants” who just want to give back to the patrons.

“Even with a little bit of cold and drizzle here and there,” said Plante. “The important part is that the people are coming out are having a good time, so if that’s one person, a hundred people or a thousand people, as long as people are coming out and having good memories that’s all we care about.”

The festival featured business sidewalk sales, live music, face painting and even balloon animal crafts by Jangles the clown. Allison Ft. Martin, owner of Maracas Entertainment, painted faces at the event and said even though the weather put a damper on the day, she saw a lot of smiles.

“The music makes it,” said Ft. Martin. “You feel the sunshine even though it’s not here. The whole atmosphere just made a big difference.”

Doraid Issa brought his family to the event, and his daughter got her face painted for the very first time. He said his daughter and all the other children at the event really enjoyed themselves.

“It feels very nice, it feels like you’re somewhere else, not in Windsor, like you’re just going on vacation or something,” said Issa. “Just walking around, kids are having fun and enjoying yourself.”

Vanessa Fiebig had her face painted by Allison Ft. Martin, owner of Maraca Entertainment, while she participated in the Cinco de Mayo event in Pillette Village

Palenque Fresh Mexican Cuisine, owned by Francois Dominguez, is is the inspiration for the celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the Pillette Village community.