The West Vernor & Springwells Business Improvement District (BID) is kicking off summer with “Cinco de Mayo Week,” beginning Tuesday, May 1 through Sunday, May 6. The week’s festivities feature discounts and promotions by local businesses, special family-friendly events, and contests with prizes that are intended to increase foot traffic in Southwest Detroit while also raising awareness about one of city’s most culturally diverse communities.
Beginning Tuesday, May 1 through Sunday, May 6, participants who visit one of 16 selected community murals and art installations and take a selfie, and then post to Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #CincoSWDet, will be entered to win a gift certificate from local businesses. The list includes community murals as well as free-standing art
installations that are well-known throughout Southwest Detroit. The contest runs through 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, with winners announced on Tuesday, May 8.
On Saturday, May 5, the focus will be on the great savings and deals that can be found while shopping among the hundreds of local merchants, including mercados, bakeries, meat markets, and specialty stores. From freshly made tortillas and specialty cuts of seasoned meats to hand sewn dresses and high-quality, brand-name furniture, the “Shopping Saturday” focus will be on the great shopping options available in Southwest Detroit.
On Sunday, May 6, two family-friendly events will draw thousands of participants to Southwest Detroit. On Sunday, May 6, the Mexican Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit will host the 54th Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade. The parade will start at 12 p.m. from Patton Park (W. Vernor Hwy and Woodmere St.) and will head east, ending at Clark Park (W. Vernor Hwy & Scotten St.). This year’s parade will be led by the Detroit Police Department Equestrian Squad and the Western International High School ROTC.
The parade will be followed by the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Mercado at Clark Park. The event, which will be held from 2 to 6 p.m., includes: live entertainment with special performances by the Center of Music & Performing Arts Southwest (COMPÁS), Ballet Folklórico De Detroit, Mariachi Femenil, DJ Luis, among others.
Family-friendly activities such as a bouncy house and slide, petting zoo, exotic petting zoo, kiddie train, clowns, face-painters and special characters can be found throughout the day. Attendees also will enjoy cotton candy, hot dogs, snow cones, popcorn, nachos, juice, chips and water. All children’s activities and food will be available FREE of charge.
For a complete list of West Vernor & Springswells BID and SDBA member businesses, the 16 selected murals and art installations, Taco Tour and Bar Crawl details and more information, visit http://www.swdetroitbid.com/
