It's time for a fiesta. Mexican Fiesta is open Friday to Sunday with big plans to celebrate Mexico's 200th year of independence with ancient traditions, modern celebrations and tasty food.
Travel back in time with pok-ta-pok, a traditional Mayan game in which two teams use their hips, knees and arms to guide a ball through a small hoop. The game, commonly played to settle disputes and political issues, will be played twice a day throughout the festival's run.
People seeking a modern example of Mexican culture should take a look at the lucha libre exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, which will feature several notorious Latino wrestlers including Noriega, Billy Star, Zero Gravity and The Osirian Portal. Watch the matches Saturday at 5 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 4:40 and 7:15 p.m.
Teresa Mercado, Mexican Fiesta executive director, said festival organizers are especially excited about the cultural village. This year, organizers invited more than 60 artisans from Mexico and neighboring countries such as Ecuador and Guatemala to promote their cultures as part of a Mexican plaza. Attendees will be able to purchase one-of-a-kind craft pieces, participate in workshops and watch musical and dance performances.
According to Mercado, one of the must-see entertainment options is the "Spectacular." Calling it theater-quality entertainment, Mercado said the show brings together Mexico's Ballet Folklórico and a mariachi group for a culture-packed, enchanting performance. The 90-minute show will be free with festival admission.
Also new this year is the festival's "Fiesta Rocks" series, which will feature Latino rock bands. Visit the Lake Performance Square to hear from groups such as Purple Tongue, Grupo El Sol and Espinas, among others.
Aside from the "Fiesta Rocks" series, look for popular Latino artists Prince Royce, Montez de Durango and, for the first time in the Midwest, David Lee Garza y los Musicales Reunion.
In addition to the abundance of entertainment, there will be plenty of food options to enjoy. Vendors include Tres Hermanos, El Campeon, El Paisa and Guadalajara. Back by popular demand is Pan de Feria, or Mexican fried bread.
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If you go
What: Mexican Fiesta
When: Noon to midnight Friday through Sunday
Where: Maier Festival Park
Tickets: $13 at the gate, free for children 12 and under. Free admission from noon to 3 p.m. Friday for everyone.
Website: www.mexicanfiesta.org.
Schedule
Friday
Children's Area: noon, 2 p.m. Klement's Sausage race and prizes; 1 p.m. Hula Hoop competition; 3, 7 p.m. Club de Linda Lu; 4, 5 p.m. Bingo the Balloon Clown face painting; 6 p.m. Discovery World Fire & Ice; 8 p.m. Grupo de Baile Regional Folklorico
Cultural Village: noon Danzoneros Por Siempre; 1, 10:30 p.m. Grupo de Baile Regional Folkorico; 2, 9:15 p.m. Grupo Pindekuecha; 3 p.m. Danzon Para Todos; 4 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Nuestro Mexico; 5 p.m. opening ceremony; 6:30 p.m. Rondalla Voces; 7:30 p.m. Agustin Lopez; 8:15 p.m. Marisela Guillen & Voces; 11:15 p.m. Danzoneros por Siempre A.C.
El Rey / Rosen Motors Stage: noon Danzon Para Todos; 1:15 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Nuestro Mexico; 2:15 p.m. Conjunto Marcado Norteno; 3:30 p.m. Banda Amada de Durango; 4:45 p.m. Sonora Santanera USA; 5:45 p.m. Los de K-libre; 6:50 p.m. Rosen Motors Raffle; 7 p.m. Maicriados de la Sierra; 8:15 p.m. Montez de Durango; 9:15 p.m. Joaquin & Texas Jewels; 10:30 p.m. Los Hermanos Cortes
Fiesta Area: noon Art @ Large; 2 p.m. Zumba fitness; 3 p.m. Milwaukee Wave Soccer; 4 p.m. Grupo de Baile Regional Folkorico; 5 p.m. Pok-Ta-Pok Mayan Baseball; 6 p.m. salsarengua contest; 8 p.m. Pok-Ta-Pok Mayan Baseball; 9 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Nuestro Mexico
Harley-Davidson / Cricket Stage: noon Grupo Pindekuecha; 1 p.m. Ballet Folklorico; 3 p.m. Danzoneros por Siempre A.C.; 4:30 p.m. Conjunto Marcado Norteno; 6 p.m. Joaquin & Texas Jewels; 7:15 p.m. Mariachi Vive Mexico; 8:15 p.m. D'Calle Son; 9:30 p.m. Prince Royce; 11 p.m. Sonora Dinamita Internacional
Lake Performance Square: noon, 3 p.m. Marisela Guillen; 1 p.m. Son Mudanza; 2 p.m. Rondalla Voces; 4 p.m. Grupo Pindekuecha; 5 p.m. Danzon Para Todos; 6, 8 p.m. Mort Banda; 7 p.m. Grupo El Sol; 9 p.m. Purple Tongue
Miller Lite Oasis: noon Conjunto Marcado Norteno; 1:15 p.m. Sonora Santanera USA; 2:45 p.m. Los de K-libre; 4 p.m. Ballet Folklorico; 6 p.m. Sonora Dinamita Internacional; 8:30 p.m. Los Hermanos Cortes; 9:45 p.m. Marco Fregoso with Mariachi Vive Mexico; 11 p.m. Montez de Durango
Saturday
Children's Area: noon, 1 p.m. Bingo the Balloon Clown face painting; 2, 5 p.m. Club de Linda Lu; 3, 7:30 p.m. Grupo de Baile Regional Folkorico; 4 p.m. Discovery World Fire & Ice; 6:45 p.m. Klement's Sausage race and prizes
Cultural Village: noon Ballet Folklorico Nuestro Mexico; 1, 5 p.m. Danzoneros por Siempre A.C.; 2 p.m. Patricia Barbosa; 3 p.m. Tinkuy; 4, 9 p.m. Ballet Folklorico; 6 p.m. Agustin Lopez; 7 p.m. Grupo Pindekuecha; 8 p.m. Marisela Guillen & Voces; 10 p.m. Danzon Para Todos; 11 p.m. Grupo de Baile Regional Folkorico
El Rey / Rosen Motors Stage: noon Danzon Para Todos; 1:30 p.m. El Grito Contest; 3 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Nuestro Mexico; 4 p.m. Sonora Santanera USA; 5 p.m. Joaquin & Texas Jewels; 6:45 p.m. David Lee Garza Reunion; 8:15 p.m. Rosen Motors Raffle; 8:30 p.m. Patrones; 9:45 p.m. Marco Fregoso with Mariachi Vive Mexico; 11 p.m. Sonora Dinamita Internacional
Fiesta Area: noon Art @ Large; 2 p.m. Zumba fitness; 3 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Academia Jesus Avila; 4,9 p.m. Pok-Ta-Pok Mayan Baseball; 5 p.m. karate demonstration; 6 p.m. dance contest; 8 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Nuestro Mexico
Harley-Davidson / Cricket Stage: noon Ballet Folklorico; 1:30 p.m. Victoria y su Onda Tejana; 2:45 p.m. Danzoneros por Siempre A.C.; 3:45 p.m. Lobo IV; 5:15 p.m. Sonora Dinamita Internacional; 6:15 p.m. Nezios Musical; 7:30 p.m. Conjunto Marcado Norteno; 9 p.m. Ramon Ayala; 11 p.m. Los de K-libre
Lake Performance Square: noon, 4 p.m. Grupo Pindekuecha; 1 p.m. Marisela Guillen; 2 p.m. Son Mudanza; 3 p.m. Danzon Para Todos; 5 p.m. Tinkuy; 6 p.m. Espinas; 7 p.m. Grupo El Sol; 8 p.m. Mort Banda; 9 p.m. Purple Tongue
Miller Lite Oasis: noon Conjunto Marcado Norteno; 1:15 p.m. Ballet Folklorico; 2:30 p.m. Joaquin & Texas Jewels; 3:45 p.m. Los de K-libre; 5:15 p.m. Grupo de Baile Regional Folkorico; 6:30 p.m. Sonora Santanera USA; 7:30 p.m. Mariachi Vive Mexico; 9 p.m. Lobo IV; 11 p.m. David Lee Garza Reunion
U.S. Cellular Stage: 4, 7 p.m. MMA demonstration by Duke Roufus; 5, 8 p.m. Lucha Libre Mexican wrestling
SUNDAY
Children's Area: noon, 1 p.m. Bingo the Balloon Clown face painting; 2 p.m. Discovery World Fire & Ice; 3, 6 p.m. Club de Linda Lu; 4, 7 p.m. Grupo de Baile Regional Folkorico; 5 p.m. Klement's Sausage race and prizes
Cultural Village: noon Grupo Pindekuecha; 1 p.m. Danzoneros por Siempre A.C.; 2 p.m. Tinkuy; 3 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Nuestro Mexico; 4 p.m. Latino Arts Mariachi Juvenil; 5 p.m. Agustin Lopez; 6, 7 p.m. Ballet Folklorico; 9:45 p.m. Marisela Guillen & Voces; 10:45 p.m. Grupo de Baile Regional Folkorico
El Rey / Rosen Motors Stage: noon Danzon Para Todos; 1:15 p.m. The Traditional Costume Contest; 3:15 p.m. Los Carnales; 4:30 p.m. J.B. & Baron Band; 6 p.m. Conjunto Marcado Norteno; 7:15 p.m. Rosen Motors Raffle; 7:45 p.m. Maicriados de la Sierra; 9:15 p.m. Marco Fregoso with Mariachi Vive Mexico; 10:45 p.m. Sonora Santanera USA
Fiesta Area: noon Zumba fitness; 1 p.m. Art @ Large; 3 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Academia Jesus Avila; 4, 8 p.m. Pok-Ta-Pok Mayan Baseball; 5 p.m. karate demonstration; 6 p.m. Milwaukee Wave Soccer; 7 p.m. Danzoneros por siempre A.C.; 9 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Nuestro Mexico
Harley-Davidson / Cricket Stage: noon Ballet Folklorico; 1:15 p.m. Sonora Santanera USA; 2:15 p.m. Lobo IV; 3:45 p.m. Patrones; 4:45 p.m. Mariachi Vive Mexico; 6 p.m. Sonora Dinamita Internacional; 7:15 p.m. Nezios Musical; 8:45 p.m. Los Hermanos Cortes; 10:30 p.m. J.B. & Baron Band
Lake Performance Square: noon Danzon Para Todos; 2 p.m. Rondalla Voces; 3 p.m. Danzoneros por Siempre A.C.; 4 p.m. Tinkuy; 5 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Nuestro Mexico; 6 p.m. Grupo Pindekuecha; 7 p.m. Espinas; 8 p.m. Mort Banda; 9 p.m. Purple Tongue
Miller Lite Oasis: noon Incomparable; 1 p.m. Ballet Folklorico; 2:45 p.m. Jalapeño Eating Contest; 4:30 p.m. Sonora Dinamita Internacional; 5:30 p.m. Lobo IV; 7 p.m. Banda Amada de Durango; 8:30 p.m. Banda El Recodo; 10:30 p.m. Conjunto Marcado Norteno
U.S. Cellular Stage: 3:30, 6:15 p.m. MMA demonstration by Duke Roufus; 4:30, 7:15 p.m. Lucha Libre Mexican wrestling
- compiled by Elaine Rewolinski