Crowds of people walk along Pacific Boulevard during last year's Sabor de Mexico Lindo (Taste of Beautiful Mexico) street festival. This year's event will be held Oct. 2-4. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)
Story Created:
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:25 PM PST
Story Updated:
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:25 PM PST
HUNTINGTON PARK — The City Council has issued an activity in public places permit allowing the Greater Huntington Park Area Chamber of Commerce to conduct its 17th annual Sabor de Mexico Lindo or Taste of Beautiful Mexico street fair on Pacific Boulevard between Florence Avenue and Randolph Street Oct. 2-4.
A permit is needed under a new city ordinance because the event will close down a public street, said Henry Gray, director of community development.
However, the council postponed until Tuesday a decision on whether the chamber will have to pay full costs to the city of $50,984 for its services. A previous request to waive some of the costs was denied by the City Council because of tight budget constraints.
Those costs include $30,942 for police services, $3,675 for public works services, $1,366 for building department checks of booths and $15,000 for loss of parking meter revenue from closing off the street for four days.
In addition, vendors at the festival must obtain a city business license for $80.62 as well as county Health Department approval if food is served, Gray said.
Dante D’Eramo, executive director of the chamber, said the street festival will take place along nine blocks from Florence Avenue to Randolph Street and will include carnival rides, food and game booths, exhibits and displays by area businesses and free entertainment.
Folklorico dance troupes and prominent Latino recording artists will be featured on two stages.
Also planned at the street festival are a free family health fair, a petting zoo, a children’s piñata making contest and two menudo cooking competitions.
The piñata contest is open to youngsters ages 6 to 11. There is no entry fee.
Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. Oct. 3. Cash prizes of $50 will be awarded to the first place entry by an individual and the first place entry by a group.
Second place for the two categories is $25 each. Classroom entries are welcome in the group category.
Piñatas must be presented at the chamber’s information booth by 1:30 p.m. Oct. 3.
Free ride tickets will be given to each contestant, D’Eramo said.
Applications may be obtained at the Chamber of Commerce office, 6330 Pacific Blvd., Suite 208.
The fifth annual menudo cooking contest will be divided between individual chefs and restaurants. It will take place 8 a.m. Oct. 4 at the main concert stage, Pacific Boulevard at Gage Avenue.
First place prize in both groups is $500 for the best menudo.
Applications may be obtained from the chamber’s Web site, www.hpchamber1.com/sabor or at the Pacific Boulevard office.
Also free will be a cultural pavilion, Plaza de Mariachi, where mariachi bands will entertain in an area of palm trees, water fountains, a gazebo and benches.
Plans are also underway for a film festival and Walk of Fame area, he said.
D’Eramo said the film festival fits in with the event’s theme of showing Mexican culture and heritage through art, music, food and dancing.
It will be held at the Metropolitan Park Theater on Pacific Boulevard between 6 and 10 p.m. Oct. 2 and 3 on the theater’s upstairs screen. Regular movies would be shown downstairs on the main screen, D’Eramo said.
Hours of operation will be 5 to 11 p.m. Oct. 2, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 4.
Information: (323) 585-1155.
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