Farmworkers Self-Help, Inc.

5 year-old Esgar Pineda poses with Spiderman, one of the many treats at this years fiesta.Our annual Cinco de Mayo parade and fiesta was a huge success this year. As the parade rolled down Calle de Milagros, over a hundred people lined the street in hopes of catching candy and beads from one of the participants in the parade. Our traditional escort for the parade, the Pasco County Fire Department, was not available at parade time so Dade City Police Captain David Duff led the way with Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader close behind. Also in the parade were Dade City’s new Mayor Scott Black, Dade City Commissioner Eunice Penix, and Dade City Chief of Police Ray Velboom. Several floats carrying neighborhood children were spaced throughout the parade. Pastor Mark Bybee of Resurrection House Mission rode his motorcycle as two of our youth walked alongside and threw candy to the crowd. Kids were thrilled by Spiderman and his car as well. The parade finished at Resurrection Park and festivities were soon under way. Keyla Alvarez of the Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network offers health information to members of the community.There were games and prizes for the kids and the adults too. The kids took part in hula-hoop contests and adults were challenged to a mango eating contest. Prizes were provided by various businesses in the Dade City area. Teen Dream Team’s La Mariposas Dancers performed and we were treated to a rare lip-synch performance by our own Irene Carillo. She is normally so quite and shy but every so often she surprises us.

This year we added something new to the event and incorporated a health fair into the activities. Representatives from Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network, StayWell, WellCare, AMERIGROUP, The Area Agency on Aging, and others set up under a tent to pass along health information to members of our community. FSH has been working to increase health information and outreach to our community and has been instrumental in organizing several health fairs this year. FSH Executive Director Margarita Romo said that this year looks to have been the best attendance in a long time.

Our hostess, Amelia Cardenas (left) dances with Judhit Zarzua of the Mariposas Dancers.Rain slowed the party down the last two years but we had clear skies all day long. Cinco de Mayo is a fun day for our community and this year was no exception.

We want to extend thanks to all of our sponsors:
The Tampa Tribune, AMERIGROUP, Clothes Doctor, Del Carmen Mexican Store, Adriana’s Salon. Clifton And Lewis, Dona Orlanda’s Tacos, Jim’s Tires, Dade City Hardware, Dj Azteca, Bonita’s Flower Shop, Don Benitez, Little Mexico Restaurant, Sweet Bay Supermarkets, Bj’s Treat’s, Family Market, Martha’s Pharmacy, Auto Max Jc, Neiddy’s & Aida’s Hair Salon , Irene’s Mexican Store, Walmart, Well Care , and Jay Mctyier. Also, a very special thanks to Amelia Cardenas and all of the staff and volunteers of Farmworkers Self-Help who worked so hard to make this year's event such a success. Rumor has it that they are already at work planning next year's celebration.