2nd annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park will expand to bring more family-friendly activities. Photo courtesy of Balboa Park

SAN DIEGO–Building on the incredible success of last year’s inaugural event, the Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Balboa Park is expanding to bring even more Mexican-themed music and dance performances, arts and crafts, and family-friendly activities on May 4.

Set within both the historic Plaza de Panama and Spreckels Organ Pavilion, this year’s celebration once again features colorful horseback riders, traditional dance groups, a fashion show, strolling mariachis, hands-on activity booths for kids, authentic arts and crafts demonstrations by artisans from Mexico, food trucks, and a free concert event featuring Jarabe Mexicano.

The popular local ballet folklorico group, La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego, kicks off the day’s entertainment in the Spreckels Organ Pavilion at 11:20 a.m. following the 11:00 a.m. opening ceremony, while Mariachi Victoria de San Diego performs in the Plaza de Panama at 11:25 a.m. At 12 noon, the day’s signature horseback procession, with Escaramuza Charra las Golondrinas and Asociación Charros Herencia Charra led by a floreador, enters the Plaza.