ELGIN—About 300 people came for music, dances, typical Mexican foods and beverages, offered in the basement of the parish of St. Laurence Parish, here, on May 5, Cinco de Mayo.

 

Rosi Valencia has led the Hispanic ministry in the parish for almost two years and, despite this being the third year of the celebration, "It was the first time we announced it publicly,” she said.

 

That change meant more details, she said. “So we (submitted) all the permits required by the city.” 

 

They invited people from the community, integrating people from different backgrounds, and sold almost all the tickets before the day of the event. 

 

St. Laurence has a Spanish Mass on Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and the Hispanic Ministry offers Bible studies and activities in Spanish. 

 

They are planning another event on October, a "kermes (festival) to help to raise funds for the school,” Valencia said.

 

—Margarita Mendoza