ALL-DAY FIESTA PLANNED : LAGUNA CLUB TO MARK CINCO DE MAYO
In the festive tradition of annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations throughout Mexico and the southwestern United States, the Laguna Beach Exchange Club will sponsor a one-day “Fiesta Laguna” from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts grounds.
The Cinco de Mayo celebration--marking the Mexican defeat of French invaders at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862--will include games, booths and a pinata-breaking contest for children. About 20 service organizations have reserved booths for games and refreshments.
Tom Devitt, an Exchange Club member, said all proceeds from the event will go to the Child Abuse Prevention Center in Buena Park. The Exchange Club hopes to raise $15,000 to $20,000, he said.
The San Fernando Valley-based folk-dancing troupe Grupo Folklorico de Fiesta Mexicana is to perform from 4 to 6 p.m. The group is known for its Aztec fire dances and its participation in the Hispanic Dance Festival during the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival.
The Mariachas Ontonilco, a 10-member mariachi band, will sing traditional Mexican serenades while strolling the grounds from 4 to 6 p.m.
A jazz concert by the Tom Gruso Trio--including pianist Tom Gruso, bassist Louie Spears and drummer Harvey Mason--will begin at 7 p.m.
Admission to the event at 650 Laguna Canyon Road is $2. Children under 12 will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult.