Milwaukee celebrates 50 years of Mexican Fiesta

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- One of Milwaukee's ethnic festivals hits a milestone this weekend. 

It's the 50-year anniversary for Mexican Fiesta.

Organizers said they were setting all this up during the stuffy 100-degree heat and those temperatures had them concerned, but the cooler temperatures we are expecting over the weekend has put smiled back and they're anticipating a great turnout. 

Traditional Mexican Folk music got the night started as Milwaukee celebrates the 50 years of Mexican Fiesta.

Governor Tony Evers took the podium, asking the crowd "Fifty years, how 'bout that?"

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson read a proclamation in front of a large crowd at the Cultural Pavilion declaring Aug. 25 as Mexican Fiesta Day all across Milwaukee.

"All celebrating Mexican heritage, culture, cuisine, arts. It's a wonderful, wonderful experience. It's one of the crown jewels of the festival season we have in Milwaukee," said Johnson.

The Summerfest grounds, transformed by bright colors, drew a lot of people out to enjoy the tasty food, Mexican songs and dances in beautiful dresses. 

"I couldn't be prouder as a Mexican American here in Milwaukee. I certainly have heard we're the largest in the Midwest," said Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Milwaukee, District 4.

Alderman Scott Spiker from Milwaukee District 13 saw the first-hand economic boost the festival brings to the city as he passed by two hotels in his district. 

"I'd never seen so many suitcases in my life that, it was filled with performers and entertainers and such who were partaking in Mexican Fiesta. So it was great to see the enthusiasm and the joy that they were gonna bring to our city," said Scott.

Along with the boost to Milwaukee's pocketbook, it's also a money maker for the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation.

"We've got people flying in from Mexico to help us. We had 600 artisans coming here. We have people from Texas, Ohio, Indiana. They all come up here because we're a safe family festival," said Ruben Burgos, Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation.

"So all these events that come here, all that we raise, after we pay off our debts, it goes to the children, to our future generations so that they can give back to the community also," said Burgos. 

In the last 50 years, events like this have contributed nearly $2 million raised to help students of Mexican heritage go to college.