Spokane, WA, May 3, 2024 – Looking to provide more events celebrating Hispanic culture in Othello, a grassroots group of residents joined together to form a local Hispanic Committee and take the lead on the city’s first Cinco de Mayo celebration taking place Saturday, May 4 at Lions Park.

Free and open to all, the celebration begins with a parade at 10 a.m. Following the parade, festivities move to Lions Park where visitors will enjoy food vendors, informational booths, dancing and musical performances, and a variety of activities for kids and families until 10 p.m.

As part of its year-long 50th anniversary celebration, Innovia Foundation is pleased to sponsor the Othello Cinco de Mayo celebration and support bringing people together to experience the vibrant Latino and Hispanic culture in the region.

“Innovia believes that people thrive in community, and we are committed to supporting events and activities that create opportunities for neighbors to connect and celebrate what they love about where they live,” says Molly Sanchez, Chief Community Investment Officer at Innovia.  

The idea to hold a Cinco de Mayo event began with “Elevate Othello,” a community-led visioning effort sponsored by Rural Development Initiatives (RDI). A grant of $12,000 from Innovia helped Elevate Othello engage residents in a process to identify priority projects.

After months of conversations with focus groups, RDI brought community members together for a priority setting process at a community ice cream social in September, says Hispanic Committee member Sulema Martinez. One of the priorities is to support community events specific to Latino and Hispanic cultural holidays, and Cinco de Mayo does just that.

Other key partners at the meeting were Sulema’s mother, Maria Martinez, and Othello Food Bank Director Jose Garza. In addition, Othello Rotary Club President Don Burks rallied the Rotary Club to host the event.   

“We could not have done this event without our small brave members,” says Sulema Martinez.

According to Sulema Martinez, the event aims to encourage economic support of Latino-owned small businesses, while also creating cultural awareness.

“We expect to see three thousand people participate this weekend, and this is a perfect opportunity to showcase Othello businesses and support the many vendors who will be at Cinco de Mayo,” she says.

The Othello Cinco de Mayo is part of a series of events and activities Innovia is gifting to communities across Eastern Washington and North Idaho in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary in 2024. More information about these events can be found at innovia.org/fifty.

Celebrating Community in 2024 

Together with media partner NonStop Local KHQ, Innovia is Celebrating Community, a year-long, region-wide celebration of the volunteers, citizens and organizations that have faithfully served the needs of communities for 50 years in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Each month, Innovia will gift the region with free, inclusive, family-friendly activities and experiences to commemorate the Foundation’s past, present and future of bringing people together to transform lives and communities. Event details will be released at the beginning of each month throughout 2024. 

50th Anniversary Calendar of Events 

In addition to Innovia-sponsored community events, the Foundation has launched an online calendar where individuals and organizations can submit information about celebrations and activities in their community. The calendar is open to any events within the Foundation’s region that are free or low-cost, family-friendly and have a broad community appeal. Calendar entries can be submitted at innovia.org/fifty.  

Photo Drawing 

Community members who attend Innovia-sponsored community events this year are invited to submit their photos from the event for a chance to win a photo drawing. Winners will be selected in March, June, September and December to receive a $250 grant to a nonprofit of their choice. Entries can be submitted by posting photos on Instagram with the hashtag #innoviacelebratescommunity or by submitting through an online form. Full drawing details and rules, including the online submission form, can be found at innovia.org/fifty. 

More information about Innovia Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, 2024 celebrations and history can be found at innovia.org/fifty. 

Innovia Foundation is proud to partner with NonStop Local KHQ for community coverage of these family free events.