Oklahoma City’s Cinco de Mayo festival is poised to be one of the most exciting outdoor festivals held in 2021. The event, which has been growing in size over the last several years, has now moved to Scissortail Park to allow for an even broader audience in the centrally located downtown area.
The festival, taking place on May 2, is free to attend and includes live music, folkloric dancing, activities for children, a parade of horses, and the crowning of Miss Cinco de Mayo.
The Oklahoma City Cinco de Mayo Festival is being organized by Scissortail Development Corporation (CDC). Scissortail President Robert Ruiz said it is one of the most authentic Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the United States, owing in large part to Oklahoma City’s “sister city” relationship to the city of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexico’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
To help honor that connection and heritage, Scissortail CDC worked with the Oklahoma City design firm Robot House to develop new branding materials that captures Cinco de Mayo’s unique cultural importance to the Mexican and Hispanic communities.
“Robot House helped us to pursue a new look that evokes authentic Mexican heritage and history,” said Ruiz. “Of course, we also want people to remember this is a party where all are welcome to celebrate and honor that culture.”
Cinco de Mayo is a COVID-aware event that will include hand-washing stations, hand-sanitizing stations, and social distancing signage.