Sisters celebrates Cinco de Mayo

The Hispanic Coalition of Sisters turned FivePine Lodge and Conference Center into Cinco De Mayo central on Thursday evening for a sold-out fiesta to benefit children's educational and after-school programs with Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD).

Flags, banners and balloons in the red, white and green of Mexico's national flag decorated the hall as mariachi music set a festive tone for the hundreds of guests. The event featured live music, traditional folk dancers and a lavish homecooked Mexican food buffet and fresh salsa bar.

This is the third year the Hispanic Coalition has organized the celebration, expanding it from its previous venue at Sisters Elementary

School.

Wendy Birnbaum, with the Hispanic Coalition, was thrilled with the community response.

"Rossy (Gomez) and I, Greg Willitts and my husband Bill have been working on this party for months," she said. "It's incredible. It sold out. We had to turn down 25 people at the door. Everyone wants to be here and share in the holiday and the food.

"Rossy is really the driving force of it all, she's just a dynamo of energy. The women here who work at FivePine are the ones who truly deserve the credit and thanks. They're the ones who cooked and decorated and have been so amazing. It's such a cross-cultural event and we're so happy everyone came out to support our fundraiser."

Tables were filled with authentic Mexican dishes to sample: flautitas, chicken tacos dorados, molé chicken with Mexican rice, corn wasa tortilla soup and chili Colorado.

"I love Sisters for this type of event alone," said Teri Applegarth. "The fact we can all get together to promote diversity is unique. These are the important activities that form and define a town's character. And the food looks delicious."

A silent auction in the corner held an assortment of donated items to be bid on, including artwork, gift baskets, jewelry and a week's stay at a luxury home in beautiful Zihuatenejo, Mexico overlooking Zihuatenejo Bay.

After dinner, Folklorico and traditional Mexican dancers filled the stage with a whirl of rainbow-splashed skirts and ceremonial costumes, generating spirited cheers and applause from the audience.