The 29th annual Gardena Cinco de Mayo Celebration is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2. A parade kicks off the day at 10 a.m., starting at Gardena Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue in the downtown area.
The parade will disband at Fukai Park at Normandie Avenue and 158th Street, where a day of food, entertainment, mariachis, folk dancing, crafts, classic cars, and the introduction of the Jessica Mitchell, 2015 Miss Cinco de Mayo, and her court is planned from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 29th annual Gardena Cinco de Mayo Celebration is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2. A parade kicks off the day at 10 a.m., starting at Gardena Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue in the downtown area.
The parade will disband at Fukai Park at Normandie Avenue and 158th Street, where a day of food, entertainment, mariachis, folk dancing, crafts, classic cars, and the introduction of the Jessica Mitchell, 2015 Miss Cinco de Mayo, and her court is planned from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the Cinco de Mayo Scholarship and Festival Committee, and co-sponsored by the City of Gardena.
The grand marshal this year will be a familiar face to most who dine on burgers and fries at the golden arches. Ronald McDonald gets the call to make what might be his first spotlight seat at any Cinco de Mayo parade.
The community grand marshal will be Kathy Barbosa, owner of the Burnt Tortilla Restaurant and Sports Bar, as well as the Burnt Tortilla take-out restaurant next door at the corner of Redondo Beach Boulevard and Normandie Avenue.
The unique business name came by way of Kathy’s tendency as a young girl, to turn on the music and dance while preparing tortillas for the family dinner. Needless to say, there were a lot of burnt tortillas the family endured.
In 2014, Barbosa was a recipient of the coveted YWCA Crimson Award.
Barbosa opened her first Mexican restaurant, “the Original Burnt Tortilla” at 1725 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. The success of that restaurant, thanks in large put to the support of family members, led to expansion in various areas of Gardena.
She opened her newest restaurant at her present location in 2013.
