Tim Travis has been working over the land at Goldner Walsh Nursery, Florist and Gardening Center to allow for outdoor events in Pontiac. He’s put in an amphitheater, walkways, a serving center, and more amidst the beautiful grounds bordering the Clinton River. It has paid off with the first event held at the amphitheater, the Goldner Walsh Cinco (tres) de Mayo Festival. The event was held on Sunday, May 3rd (hence the tres) from 5 to 8 PM. There was food provided by Jalapeños Mexican restaurant in Pontiac and there were plenty of beverages available at the serving station on the path just before the serving station. It appeared that a few hundred people attended, although we didn’t attempt an actual count.

The guest speaker was 50th District Court Judge Michael Martinez, who discussed Mexican history with regard to the May 5th date. Although many Americans think that this is the date of Mexican independence, that is incorrect. It is actually the date that the French were defeated at Puebla by the Mexicans, May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. It is, in fact, not celebrated by and large in Mexico with the exception of festivities at Puebla.

After he spoke, there were dancers in costumes of the various periods the music and dance represented. These were Yolanda Flores and the Azteca Folkloric Dancers. More music was provided by the bands Los Amigos and the Mariachi Cristal.

The event had free parking with a $10 admission fee. Proceeds went to help the Pontiac Garden Club and continued development of Pontiac’s downtown Saginaw Green Park.

We hope that this festival is held every May 5th and we look forward to additional events that Tim Travis creates for his facility.

Go check out our photos of the colorful event and plan on attending next year!

For more information about Goldner Walsh http://www.goldnerwalsh.com/