May 5, 2025 • 30 mins
ALMA SHARES THE MANY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES CELEBRATED AT THE ANNUAL CINCO DE MAYO PARADE AND WAYS THE MEXICAN PATRIOTIC COMMITTE SUPPORTS THE CULTURE AND COMMUNITY OF SOUTHWEST DETROIT.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to light up to d a focus on what's
happening in our community from the people who make it happen.
Here's your host, iHeartMedia Detroit Market President Colleen Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
So let's remind everybody what's going on today.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
So today is the Single of the Mile Parade, the
sixtieth annual Single the Mile Parade, a two point four
mile parade that goes down the heart of southwest Detrode
down the Werner Core from Patent Park to Clark Park.
You're able to park anywhere from Patton Park around Clark
Park or anywhere in between.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Grab a chair and sit.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Down and enjoy at least one hundred different entities that
are entertaining you with school marching bands, with music, with agencies,
with dancers, and then just enjoy yourself.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
And more information can be found at.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Detroit Sincodemio Parade dot com.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
So listen, this is a couple hours from now. Okay,
if you're wondering what you're gonna do today, this is it.
This is it. You're heading down to Southwest Detroit. You're
gonna hang out at the parade. You're gonna eat great food,
You're gonna hear great music. You're gonna see wonderful all
sorts of artisans, things you can buy, things you can
do to support the community. But also what's really cool
is you're also gonna have community resources there for the community,
(01:51):
like nonprofits who are there to help provide different different,
all sorts of different benefits for the community. Let's talk
about some of those.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
Yeah, we have a.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Lot of agencies that are helping entrepreneurs. Also mental health agencies,
you know those resources that maybe the community doesn't know
that they can access. So we have a lot of
mental health, a lot of entrepreneur resources. We have the
Nursing Association that's there, talk about their the healthcare jobs
(02:23):
we have. We also have DPD that are going to
be there, just talking about law enforcement. So a lot
of resources not just for agencies, but also for job
enrichment and you know, things that support the local economy.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah. So it's a great opportunity when you bring people
together for fund to also provide resources so that if
somebody just needs a hand or something, yea, you know,
there it is, and it happens to be there while
they're having a great time and they can pick up
some information and learn how they might get some extra
help if they need that. Good morning and welcome to
another episode of Light Up the d I'm your host,
(03:03):
Colleen Grant. Thanks for joining me today. It's a beautiful
morning to talk about great events that are happening in
Southwest Detroit. So I'm happy to welcome our guest today.
Almacruz is the president of the Mexican Patriotic Committee of
Metro Detroit and a longtime resident of Southwest Detroit, such
a beautiful part of our city. A committee member since
(03:26):
twenty nineteen, she's dedicated to preserving the cultural traditions of
migrant families and creating safe, inclusive spaces that celebrate heritage
and support local commerce. Professionally, she serves as a supplier
Diversity specialist at Barton Mallow Company, connecting underrepresentative, underrepresented businesses
(03:47):
with large scale construction opportunities. And we know that Barton
Mallow is one of those organizations that really supports diversity
in their workforce and also does large scale product projects
that keeps you very busy. Thank you for joining us today, Alma.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
Cruz, thank you, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
It's good to have you here because we're talking about
some really cool stuff. That's coming up very very soon
in May, and you're going to love to hear about it.
So let's just start first of all with the Mexican
Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit. What is it and what
do you do?
Speaker 4 (04:19):
We are an all volunteer committee. This is our passion project.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
It was started, it was founded in nineteen twenty four,
it was incorporated in nineteen thirty, so it's long standing
and it's been passed down through generations. We're really a
collaborative of agencies that already help the Southwest Sutraite residents
and businesses. So this is just an extension, an extension
(04:47):
of how we continue to help our community, the residence,
but also our culture, our cultural identity, and those people
that need us the most, which is a lot of
migrant families, entrepreneurs, small business vendors and things like that.
So this is an extension of our passions.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
So sixty years, right, that's a long time. Who are
the leaders who are involved in this that make a
difference and keep it going for so long.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Well, it was founded by Jose Guariana de Campos in
nineteen twenty four. His daughter still is active with our committee.
So it's passed through different leaders. I like you said,
I joined in twenty nineteen and I was elected two
parades ago. So I have been running it for two parades.
(05:41):
This is my third parade, and I just feel it
my duty because the community loves it so much, and
I love my community.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
So in essence, it's still a gift to the.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Community that we're putting this hard work into making this happen.
So as long as the community keeps coming out, we're
going to keep making it happen for them. So I
was past the reins from Ray Lozano. We have a
lot of future leaders that we want to teach what
(06:13):
we do to as well to keep to keep it going,
to maintain it for.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
Fut year, another six years, right, Yeah, I mean I
could see it.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
I can't too. Why not?
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Why not?
Speaker 2 (06:23):
It's a beautiful thing. I mean, listen, you already said
the word parade. Let's hear it. What's going on?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeah, So the thing of the Myle Parade is one
of the longest parades in Michigan. It's two point four miles.
It's from Patton Park to Clark Park. It's a long
walk if you're walking it, but it everybody loves it
so much.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
It's it's the heart of Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
We also talk about Clark Park and Patton Park that
has so many activities for everyone. It's it's really a
place for people. It's a destination for people. So they
know it.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
They know that.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
We don't even have to put an address down. They
know it and they will show up in between both parks.
So it's full of chattels and their horses, school marching bands, dignitaries,
local agencies, a lot of musical groups, a lot of
our traditional ballet, folklodico dancers. They all come out, and
(07:24):
a lot of the community they just come out.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
A lot of the youth groups too. They showcase their.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Talents and then what they do through this parade, it's
it's exposure for them.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
We have eight to ten thousand spectators.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
So yes, very well attended and we hope to maintain that.
And they are learning about new agencies, new youth groups.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
They're entertained.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
It's all family friendly events, so we don't have alcohol
and drinking and all that. This is all the family
friendly events that happen before the parties.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
I guess yeah, And that's why you can bring your
whole family down and celebrate a whole It starts.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
At noon, starts at twelve noon. Today starts at twelve noon.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Rain or shine, we go, no matter what. And I
will tell.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
You these past two years, even though it's been raining,
I swear the clouds open up as soon as we're
about to start the procession.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Something just for you, guys.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
It does, yes, just for us, so where everybody.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
And also because we have our Miss Mexico court is
highlighted in the parade and they travel in convertibles.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
They have beautiful ball gowns.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
And last year they were they were gonna have to
be inside the car and we were like, oh man,
but then the clouds opened up and they were able
to be in their corvette.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
It was beautiful.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
So we have about four or five of our Miss
Mexico contestants. We have our Grand Marshals that travel in
the parade, and we have a lot of dignitaries and
a lot of agencies. Everyone's through by three pm, okay,
So it's short, it's sweet, it's organized.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
So yeah, we've.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Quite a visual spectacle with lots of music and celebrating.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
And lots of music. They love the music.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
I mean there's bands on trailers, full bands on trailers.
So it's not just speakers, it's live entertainment through this too.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
So yeah, you're looking for something to do, this is
the thing to go to today, that is for sure.
But you mentioned the grand Marshals. You have three of them, Yeah,
I'm aware. And how are they selected and how do
they represent the theme? And tell us about that theme?
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Oh yeah, this year's parade theme is Past President and
Future Basado presente ifuturo. This is honoring our past leaders,
this is honoring our founders who gave this as a
gift to their community. They gave this as a gift
because they themselves wanted that connection back to the homeland
(09:59):
and their families. We're adjusting to life work in southwest Detroit,
and this kind of kept them grounded in the traditions
of their old country. So, like I said before, Jose
Guariana de Campos, he founded the Mexican Patriotic Committee. His
daughter Maria Guariana is going to represent the past or
(10:20):
the legacy leaders as a grandma. Shaw I will be
representing the present.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Well, congratulations, thank you.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
So I'll be representing the present as someone who just
grew up in the community, longtime resident, understands what this
means to the families, and I feel it my duty
to continue it.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
As long as I have the abilities.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
To organize things like this, I want to be able
to do that for them. So and then we have
honor to our future leaders. We want this to continue
for generations to come. This community cohesion, this community bonding,
this cultural identity of Southwest Detroit, which is very unique,
very rich, we wanted to continue for generations to come.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
So we have.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Alexandra of Velasco Cruse no relation, so it's not you know,
but Alexandra of Alasko cruz as are to represent our
future leader. So she is very active in the committee.
She is a Registration's committee member. She served as our VP. Yeah,
and she was Miss Mexico twenty twenty three.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Oh wow, how about that?
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Yeah cool.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
So she was traveling in those cars two years ago
that were threatening to rain Marshall and now she's a
Grand Marshal.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
So you were talking about, you know, being a Grand
Marshal of the in the theme the three the three
words past president in future and you're the Grand Marshal
of the present and you talked about the you know,
as long as you can, you're going to be involved
in this and you know, bringing to the community because
it's really important to the community. What is it about
it that makes it so important to the community.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
I think the message it's a testament to who we
are as migrants, as residents, as small businesses.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
We find our community and we flourish there.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
So it's a testament to the message of resilience in
cultural pride, community cohesion, and it rings true. It was
started in sixty years ago and the message still rings
true through the years through sixty years later.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
So the resilience of people. It celebrates the.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
Battle of Puebla in Mexico, which is founded on the
resilience of a small army in Mexico, and we believe
that we are sort of transcendent of that army to
have that resilience to flourish where we are even though
we're small, we're mighty. That's where it all comes from.
As long as the community continues to celebrate that they
(13:06):
are resilient, that they that we are doing this all together,
we're going to keep this going. So I think that
that's that's the true message of the sixtieth year.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Why are you why are you so excited about the
sixtieth celebration this year? I mean, I know it's a
long time, but like, what is it about it that
that's meaningful to everybody involved?
Speaker 3 (13:26):
I think it's it's the community that really lifts us
up and encourages us to do this for another sixty years.
And they all show up, so they're showing up for us,
so we need to show up for them. And like
I said before, it's this is all volunteer led organization.
(13:46):
We do this out of the passion, out of who
we are, how we grew up. We know that we're
creating core memories for people.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
I think that's a great point. Yeah, yeah, things people
will remember forever. And if you my family and I
do this every year, you know, together and just to
be able to tell your kids about this and then
you bring your kids to year after year after year.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
If you ask anybody who grew up in Southwas Detrode,
they will bring up a memory of single the Mile Parade,
and that is so quartz to who they are and
then who they become.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
So when they're moving.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
Out of Southwas Detroit, this is this is definitely something
that they bring with them. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
I mean there are core events across our marketplace that
everybody thinks of. You know, this should be one. If
it's not, it could be on your radar now. And
you know, like the Thanksgiving Parade or the Turkey trot
or you know, things that you do with your family
and to have one in May that's so rich in culture,
with music and food and something you can't find anywhere
(14:51):
else in the metro to trade area that is very
dynamic to that community. I mean, I think that that's
why I love speaking about Southwest Detroit so much, is
because it's not something like you can find anywhere else
in the marketplace. It's very specific to that area and
it's so rich that it's like something you just want
(15:12):
to celebrate. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
Absolutely, And like I said before, it is a Mexican tradition.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
And we have it here and we are so cool.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Yeah, we have it here and it's celebrated so widely
among Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
It's just so unique to us.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
It's even if you're not Mexican, do you still celebrate
Heck you so.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
And in fact, I feel that.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
We have responded to the community because even those who
are not Mexican.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
Who are other ethnicities. They come out with their flags too,
So we.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Want to respond to that. We want to say, you
know what, join the parade, come in the parade. This
is we're not in Mexico, even though it's a Mexican tradition.
We want to celebrate all of our life ethnicities, all
of our rich culture. This is a Southwest Detroit thing,
you know, so we need to take pride in this.
We have visitors coming that just want to be a
(16:09):
part of it, and we need to be you know,
take pride in that.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
Yeah, it's very very special. So what are some of
the most new, exciting new elements or enhancements that are
being introduced to the parade this year.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
Yeah, well, we've heard the community that we want to
add more school marching bands, so we are Yeah, we
love the school marching A marching band, yes, yes, I
mean they're so vibrant.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
They come and they represent for their community, for their schools.
I love it.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
I love the school pride. So we're waiving that fee
for them, So we want to encourage more of them
to come out. So we hope that they take advantage
of that and they come out and showcase what they
can do, highlight themselves. Yeah, and then as I mentioned before,
we are we're calling it Latino inclusive, So we want
(17:04):
all of the Latino ethnicities to raise their flags and
come out and show out their cultural pride, their resilience
in their communities, and tell their story. So we want
to encourage all of them to join our parade as well.
We have you know, Colombia and Venezuelan, Dominican, Puerto Rican.
We have all those flags and it's just beautiful to see.
Speaker 4 (17:27):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
And then lastly, because we have never really highlighted our
parade theme, we are highlighting it very much so now
and we want everyone to come out and decorate in
and represent for that theme.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
So we're going to have a contest.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
The winner will be announced at our after globe party
and it's going to be the person who decorated in
the best representation of our theme, past, present, future. So
we're looking at it as an intergenerational theme. We want
to see the youth. We want to see and we
want to see those legacy of leaders and those people
that built those businesses, those agencies, those organizations. We want
(18:10):
to see all of them, from young to old. We
want to see them out and.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
How that how they decide to represent that will be
so interesting to see it will.
Speaker 4 (18:18):
Be And people ask me how do I represent it?
Speaker 3 (18:21):
I can't tell you how to represent intergenerational theme and
how it looks for the future leaders and the leaders
that we stand upon now.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
So I can't tell you.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
I just I want to see you all be creative
and we'll see how it goes.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
So if somebody wants to get involved in an individual
group or local organization, how do they participate in the parade?
How can they find out more?
Speaker 3 (18:45):
Well, we launched a website this year. It's called Detroit
Single Demile Parade dot com. It has our Fiesta vendor application,
it has our parade application, and you know.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
A lot out of this was never online before two
years ago. This was word of mouth. This was through
the local businesses.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
They would come and drop off their or pick up
their application and drop it off there as well as
their money, and they just hope.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
For the best.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
So we're putting this all online. We want them to
come check us out. Check us out on Facebook, Mexican
Patriotic Committee of Detroit, check out our website. Sinkle the
Mile Parade Detroit singlethemio Parade dot com and they can
find all that application, how to get involved, where to park,
and how to show up. We want them to come
(19:39):
out with chairs and comfy shoes and watch and enjoy.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
Well, why do we talk about when they come out
and they bring their comfy shoes and they're walking around,
what kind of you know, artisan vendors and food trucks
and culinary and shopping experiences are you guys going to
have available there?
Speaker 1 (19:55):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (19:55):
Yeah, So we have our fiesta, our festival at Patent
Park in the parking lot. There's a lot of parking
around the park. We're gonna have local bands. We're gonna
have Beto Boys, a really fun local Mexican band, so
it's really fun. We're gonna have motor City Street Dance Academy.
(20:19):
They actually are our parade theme winners from last year,
so we're inviting them back. We're gonna have Gombas Youth Band,
which is a phenomenal youth troupe just you know, it
has a singer and and all the elements of a
band and they're all very young. Amazing, amazing. And then
we have a lot of traditional Folklodgo dance troops. So
(20:43):
we have some that are youth dance troops and then
we have some older ones like the Wayne State Ballet,
Folklodigo Dance Troupe.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
Oh wow, yeah, wow fun.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
I love the focus on youth to youth performances throughout
the weekend. It sounds like there are a lot of
those going on. You had mentioned the school bands and
all all sorts of programming going on for families.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
Yeah, we were really focused on the youth.
Speaker 3 (21:07):
We have face painting, we have the school marching bands.
We're gonna have cars so that they can check out
at the festival. Those corvettes that we're riding in are
also going to come back to the festival. Let the
kids kind of maybe not you know, climb into, but
they can look at and it's a lot of fun.
(21:28):
And then the folkloitical dance troops. What is plenty of food?
So we're gonna have plenty of food for all of
the families. Yes, absolutely, So.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Entertainment is always a big drop with everything you guys
do for the parade. How does the event spot like
local talent specifically and youth performances throughout the weekend?
Speaker 4 (21:50):
Well, the single the mile Parade and fiesta.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
It highlights local entertainment, small archies and vendors, and food
trucks from a variety of cuisines. This year, entertainment will
feature vocal sellings of Tiffany Gonzalez, music by Meto and
Those Guys, and the Compas Youth Band and the Motor
City Street Dance Academy, as well as traditional ballet, Folklodgo
(22:14):
dance troops. Plus there will be a grand exhibition by
the Southwest Championship Wrestling So your kids will not want
to miss that event.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
That sounds like a blast, it is it will, So listen.
This is a couple hours from now. Okay, if you're
wondering what you're gonna do today, this is it. This
is it. You're heading down to Southwest Detroit. You're gonna
hang out at the parade. You're gonna eat great food,
you're gonna hear great music, You're gonna see wonderful all
sorts of artisans, things you can buy, things you can
do to support the community. But also what's really cool
(22:47):
is you're also going to have community resources there for
the community, like nonprofits who are there to help provide different,
different all sorts of different benefits for the community. Let's
talk about some of those.
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Yeah, we have a lot of agencies that are helping entrepreneurs.
Also mental health agencies, you know those resources that maybe
the community does know that they can access. So we
have a lot of mental health, a lot of entrepreneur resources.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
We have the Nursing Association.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
That's there, talk about their the healthcare jobs we have.
We also have DPD that are going to be there,
just talking about law enforcement. So a lot of resources
not just for agencies, but also for job enrichment and
you know, things that support the local economy.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Yeah. So it's a great opportunity when you bring people
together for fund to also provide resources so that if
somebody just needs a hand or something, yeah, you know,
there it is, and it happens to be there while
they're having a great time, and they can pick up
some information and learn how they might get some extra
help if they need that. So you said on the website,
(24:02):
you said people can find where to find parking and
any logistics the map. I know that you had said
to the parks the new location is Patent Park, right,
that's been added this year. Why was that added and
what can they what can people look forward to at
that specific park.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
It was added because people were having trouble finding our
festival and we wanted to make sure that we put
it in a central location, so we chose Patent Park.
Speaker 4 (24:32):
It is a level ground.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
We want to encourage dancing and our food trucks to
be right on site, so the pavement actually gives way
for that. So it's it's an amazing location. It has
a lot of parking. The other location did not have
that much parking, so we want to make sure that
you have parking. You're able to walk up from all
(24:54):
sides of Patent Park. The food trucks are going to
be readily available. There's going to be dancing. So before
we were on terrain that wasn't It was kind of muddy,
so it.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Wasn't dance friendly.
Speaker 4 (25:05):
It wasn't dance friendly.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
That's it's actually.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
Everybody wants to dance. Wants to dance, Yes, everybody wants
to dance. It's good dancing location. We're gonna have a
dining tent, which we didn't have previous, but now we
can and so everybody can. We're gonna have a lot
of food trucks, different food trucks we're gonna have habachi obviously,
Hispanic foods, and the tackle trucks everybody loves, so we're
(25:33):
gonna have all that and dining food a dining tent.
So yeah, it just seemed it seemed like something that
we needed to do to enhance the festival. People were
having trouble finding it. They didn't know where to go.
Now we can say Patent Park and everybody knows where
it's at.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
Okay, so it kind of gives a central location.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
For Yeah, and the festival at Patton Park is a
week and long event. So it's Saturday and Sunday from
well to eight pm. It's all filled with the local
musical groups. All of our vendors will be out there
on Saturday and Sunday. We hope that we can encourage
more people to come out, bring their chairs, bring their
(26:14):
comfy shoes, and just hang out with us for the day.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Oh that sounds awesome. So let's see here. If people
are looking for more information, we want to send them
to Detroit, Sinco. Toomiopreay dot com. Right, Yes, that's the
location where you can find out all the information of
everything going on. If you're just joining us, our guest
is Alma Cruz. She's the President of Mexican of the
Mexican Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit, and we're discussing the
(26:38):
Sinco to Mayo event happening later today at noon. Are
there any items that visitors should be careful to leave
it home for safety of security reasons, anything that wouldn't
be welcome to the event that we should just be
aware of.
Speaker 3 (26:53):
Yes, this is a family friendly event, so we are
discouraging alcohol use.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
Leave it at home, folks, leave it at home.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
This is all for the community and for the families
that are in the community. So there's restaurants close by
that you can definitely partake, but yeah, without the.
Speaker 2 (27:13):
Don't bring that with you. Yeah, stop in the stopping
the restaurants and support your local businesses. Yes, how about that?
Speaker 4 (27:20):
Absolutely?
Speaker 2 (27:21):
And what is it that you are looking most forward
to in the event? You yourself, Me and myself?
Speaker 3 (27:28):
Well, I love the ballet Folkloordigo dance Troops. I tried
to join them when I was younger.
Speaker 4 (27:38):
I did, I was not very successful.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
And so therefore to watch them just the beautiful it
does like you guys did it.
Speaker 4 (27:50):
This is amazing and the.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
Beautiful wardrobes, the beautiful music, the gritos, that's.
Speaker 4 (27:58):
The cry, the screams that they have.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
Oh, I just love it, all their shoes and everything.
They really work hard, they practice hard, and I love
watching it. So I'm on the sidelines dancing with them
and enjoying it all.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Oh that's great. Yeah, And what do you what do
you see the future of the event? Looking like I
know that you're the grand marshal of the present, Yeah,
but what do you what do you see it? How
do you see happening in the future for this How
do you want it to evolve?
Speaker 4 (28:27):
Well?
Speaker 3 (28:28):
I want more young leaders to really take the reins,
to really understand maintaining these traditions and how it's important
to the cultural identity of Southwest Detroit, how it's lending
back to them. It boosts the local economy, It encouraged
community bonding.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
And it's so unique to us.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
And I think that some some youth it they take
it for granted, and then when they grow up and
they realize and they remember these core memories and they want.
Speaker 4 (29:02):
It for their own children.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
I would only hope that they come back and that
they take the reins and they make it bigger and
more beautiful. I mean, we would love to make it longer.
We would love to activate all of Southwest Detroit in
a big celebration. That's safe, that is, it just celebrates
(29:24):
the cultural pride for everyone.
Speaker 4 (29:27):
So hopefully we'll see.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
It's the future of it. So let's remind everybody what's
going on today.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
So today is the Single the Mile Parade, the sixtieth
annual Single the Mile Parade, a two point four mile
parade that goes down the heart of Southwest Detroite down
the Verner Corridor from Patent Park to Clark Park. You're
able to park anywhere from Patton Park around Clark Park
or anywhere in between.
Speaker 4 (29:54):
Grab a chair and sit.
Speaker 3 (29:55):
Down and enjoy at least one hundred different entities that
are entertaining you with school marching bands, with music, with agencies,
with dancers, and just enjoy yourself and more.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
Information can be found at.
Speaker 4 (30:10):
Detroit Sincothemile Parade dot com.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Listen, don't miss it. That's later today. It's going to
be an amazing, amazing event. Thank you for joining us.
Alma Alma Cruz, the president of the Mexican Patriotic Committee
of Metro.
Speaker 4 (30:23):
Detroit, Thank you. It was an honor.
Speaker 1 (30:26):
This has been light Up the D, a community affairs
program from iHeartMedia Detroit. If your organization would like to
get on the program, email Colleen Grant at iHeartMedia dot com.
Here are all episodes on this station's podcast page.
Welcome to light up to d a focus on what's
happening in our community from the people who make it happen.
Here's your host, iHeartMedia Detroit Market President Colleen Grant.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
So let's remind everybody what's going on today.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
So today is the Single of the Mile Parade, the
sixtieth annual Single the Mile Parade, a two point four
mile parade that goes down the heart of southwest Detrode
down the Werner Core from Patent Park to Clark Park.
You're able to park anywhere from Patton Park around Clark
Park or anywhere in between.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Grab a chair and sit.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Down and enjoy at least one hundred different entities that
are entertaining you with school marching bands, with music, with agencies,
with dancers, and then just enjoy yourself.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
And more information can be found at.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Detroit Sincodemio Parade dot com.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
So listen, this is a couple hours from now. Okay,
if you're wondering what you're gonna do today, this is it.
This is it. You're heading down to Southwest Detroit. You're
gonna hang out at the parade. You're gonna eat great food,
You're gonna hear great music. You're gonna see wonderful all
sorts of artisans, things you can buy, things you can
do to support the community. But also what's really cool
is you're also gonna have community resources there for the community,
(01:51):
like nonprofits who are there to help provide different different,
all sorts of different benefits for the community. Let's talk
about some of those.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
Yeah, we have a.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Lot of agencies that are helping entrepreneurs. Also mental health agencies,
you know those resources that maybe the community doesn't know
that they can access. So we have a lot of
mental health, a lot of entrepreneur resources. We have the
Nursing Association that's there, talk about their the healthcare jobs
(02:23):
we have. We also have DPD that are going to
be there, just talking about law enforcement. So a lot
of resources not just for agencies, but also for job
enrichment and you know, things that support the local economy.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah. So it's a great opportunity when you bring people
together for fund to also provide resources so that if
somebody just needs a hand or something, yea, you know,
there it is, and it happens to be there while
they're having a great time and they can pick up
some information and learn how they might get some extra
help if they need that. Good morning and welcome to
another episode of Light Up the d I'm your host,
(03:03):
Colleen Grant. Thanks for joining me today. It's a beautiful
morning to talk about great events that are happening in
Southwest Detroit. So I'm happy to welcome our guest today.
Almacruz is the president of the Mexican Patriotic Committee of
Metro Detroit and a longtime resident of Southwest Detroit, such
a beautiful part of our city. A committee member since
(03:26):
twenty nineteen, she's dedicated to preserving the cultural traditions of
migrant families and creating safe, inclusive spaces that celebrate heritage
and support local commerce. Professionally, she serves as a supplier
Diversity specialist at Barton Mallow Company, connecting underrepresentative, underrepresented businesses
(03:47):
with large scale construction opportunities. And we know that Barton
Mallow is one of those organizations that really supports diversity
in their workforce and also does large scale product projects
that keeps you very busy. Thank you for joining us today, Alma.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
Cruz, thank you, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
It's good to have you here because we're talking about
some really cool stuff. That's coming up very very soon
in May, and you're going to love to hear about it.
So let's just start first of all with the Mexican
Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit. What is it and what
do you do?
Speaker 4 (04:19):
We are an all volunteer committee. This is our passion project.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
It was started, it was founded in nineteen twenty four,
it was incorporated in nineteen thirty, so it's long standing
and it's been passed down through generations. We're really a
collaborative of agencies that already help the Southwest Sutraite residents
and businesses. So this is just an extension, an extension
(04:47):
of how we continue to help our community, the residence,
but also our culture, our cultural identity, and those people
that need us the most, which is a lot of
migrant families, entrepreneurs, small business vendors and things like that.
So this is an extension of our passions.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
So sixty years, right, that's a long time. Who are
the leaders who are involved in this that make a
difference and keep it going for so long.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Well, it was founded by Jose Guariana de Campos in
nineteen twenty four. His daughter still is active with our committee.
So it's passed through different leaders. I like you said,
I joined in twenty nineteen and I was elected two
parades ago. So I have been running it for two parades.
(05:41):
This is my third parade, and I just feel it
my duty because the community loves it so much, and
I love my community.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
So in essence, it's still a gift to the.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Community that we're putting this hard work into making this happen.
So as long as the community keeps coming out, we're
going to keep making it happen for them. So I
was past the reins from Ray Lozano. We have a
lot of future leaders that we want to teach what
(06:13):
we do to as well to keep to keep it going,
to maintain it for.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
Fut year, another six years, right, Yeah, I mean I
could see it.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
I can't too. Why not?
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Why not?
Speaker 2 (06:23):
It's a beautiful thing. I mean, listen, you already said
the word parade. Let's hear it. What's going on?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeah, So the thing of the Myle Parade is one
of the longest parades in Michigan. It's two point four miles.
It's from Patton Park to Clark Park. It's a long
walk if you're walking it, but it everybody loves it
so much.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
It's it's the heart of Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
We also talk about Clark Park and Patton Park that
has so many activities for everyone. It's it's really a
place for people. It's a destination for people. So they
know it.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
They know that.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
We don't even have to put an address down. They
know it and they will show up in between both parks.
So it's full of chattels and their horses, school marching bands, dignitaries,
local agencies, a lot of musical groups, a lot of
our traditional ballet, folklodico dancers. They all come out, and
(07:24):
a lot of the community they just come out.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
A lot of the youth groups too. They showcase their.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Talents and then what they do through this parade, it's
it's exposure for them.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
We have eight to ten thousand spectators.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
So yes, very well attended and we hope to maintain that.
And they are learning about new agencies, new youth groups.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
They're entertained.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
It's all family friendly events, so we don't have alcohol
and drinking and all that. This is all the family
friendly events that happen before the parties.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
I guess yeah, And that's why you can bring your
whole family down and celebrate a whole It starts.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
At noon, starts at twelve noon. Today starts at twelve noon.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Rain or shine, we go, no matter what. And I
will tell.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
You these past two years, even though it's been raining,
I swear the clouds open up as soon as we're
about to start the procession.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Something just for you, guys.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
It does, yes, just for us, so where everybody.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
And also because we have our Miss Mexico court is
highlighted in the parade and they travel in convertibles.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
They have beautiful ball gowns.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
And last year they were they were gonna have to
be inside the car and we were like, oh man,
but then the clouds opened up and they were able
to be in their corvette.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
It was beautiful.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
So we have about four or five of our Miss
Mexico contestants. We have our Grand Marshals that travel in
the parade, and we have a lot of dignitaries and
a lot of agencies. Everyone's through by three pm, okay,
So it's short, it's sweet, it's organized.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
So yeah, we've.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Quite a visual spectacle with lots of music and celebrating.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
And lots of music. They love the music.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
I mean there's bands on trailers, full bands on trailers.
So it's not just speakers, it's live entertainment through this too.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
So yeah, you're looking for something to do, this is
the thing to go to today, that is for sure.
But you mentioned the grand Marshals. You have three of them, Yeah,
I'm aware. And how are they selected and how do
they represent the theme? And tell us about that theme?
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Oh yeah, this year's parade theme is Past President and
Future Basado presente ifuturo. This is honoring our past leaders,
this is honoring our founders who gave this as a
gift to their community. They gave this as a gift
because they themselves wanted that connection back to the homeland
(09:59):
and their families. We're adjusting to life work in southwest Detroit,
and this kind of kept them grounded in the traditions
of their old country. So, like I said before, Jose
Guariana de Campos, he founded the Mexican Patriotic Committee. His
daughter Maria Guariana is going to represent the past or
(10:20):
the legacy leaders as a grandma. Shaw I will be
representing the present.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Well, congratulations, thank you.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
So I'll be representing the present as someone who just
grew up in the community, longtime resident, understands what this
means to the families, and I feel it my duty
to continue it.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
As long as I have the abilities.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
To organize things like this, I want to be able
to do that for them. So and then we have
honor to our future leaders. We want this to continue
for generations to come. This community cohesion, this community bonding,
this cultural identity of Southwest Detroit, which is very unique,
very rich, we wanted to continue for generations to come.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
So we have.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Alexandra of Velasco Cruse no relation, so it's not you know,
but Alexandra of Alasko cruz as are to represent our
future leader. So she is very active in the committee.
She is a Registration's committee member. She served as our VP. Yeah,
and she was Miss Mexico twenty twenty three.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Oh wow, how about that?
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Yeah cool.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
So she was traveling in those cars two years ago
that were threatening to rain Marshall and now she's a
Grand Marshal.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
So you were talking about, you know, being a Grand
Marshal of the in the theme the three the three
words past president in future and you're the Grand Marshal
of the present and you talked about the you know,
as long as you can, you're going to be involved
in this and you know, bringing to the community because
it's really important to the community. What is it about
it that makes it so important to the community.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
I think the message it's a testament to who we
are as migrants, as residents, as small businesses.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
We find our community and we flourish there.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
So it's a testament to the message of resilience in
cultural pride, community cohesion, and it rings true. It was
started in sixty years ago and the message still rings
true through the years through sixty years later.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
So the resilience of people. It celebrates the.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
Battle of Puebla in Mexico, which is founded on the
resilience of a small army in Mexico, and we believe
that we are sort of transcendent of that army to
have that resilience to flourish where we are even though
we're small, we're mighty. That's where it all comes from.
As long as the community continues to celebrate that they
(13:06):
are resilient, that they that we are doing this all together,
we're going to keep this going. So I think that
that's that's the true message of the sixtieth year.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Why are you why are you so excited about the
sixtieth celebration this year? I mean, I know it's a
long time, but like, what is it about it that
that's meaningful to everybody involved?
Speaker 3 (13:26):
I think it's it's the community that really lifts us
up and encourages us to do this for another sixty years.
And they all show up, so they're showing up for us,
so we need to show up for them. And like
I said before, it's this is all volunteer led organization.
(13:46):
We do this out of the passion, out of who
we are, how we grew up. We know that we're
creating core memories for people.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
I think that's a great point. Yeah, yeah, things people
will remember forever. And if you my family and I
do this every year, you know, together and just to
be able to tell your kids about this and then
you bring your kids to year after year after year.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
If you ask anybody who grew up in Southwas Detrode,
they will bring up a memory of single the Mile Parade,
and that is so quartz to who they are and
then who they become.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
So when they're moving.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
Out of Southwas Detroit, this is this is definitely something
that they bring with them. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
I mean there are core events across our marketplace that
everybody thinks of. You know, this should be one. If
it's not, it could be on your radar now. And
you know, like the Thanksgiving Parade or the Turkey trot
or you know, things that you do with your family
and to have one in May that's so rich in culture,
with music and food and something you can't find anywhere
(14:51):
else in the metro to trade area that is very
dynamic to that community. I mean, I think that that's
why I love speaking about Southwest Detroit so much, is
because it's not something like you can find anywhere else
in the marketplace. It's very specific to that area and
it's so rich that it's like something you just want
(15:12):
to celebrate. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
Absolutely, And like I said before, it is a Mexican tradition.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
And we have it here and we are so cool.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Yeah, we have it here and it's celebrated so widely
among Southwest Detroit.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
It's just so unique to us.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
It's even if you're not Mexican, do you still celebrate
Heck you so.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
And in fact, I feel that.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
We have responded to the community because even those who
are not Mexican.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
Who are other ethnicities. They come out with their flags too,
So we.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Want to respond to that. We want to say, you
know what, join the parade, come in the parade. This
is we're not in Mexico, even though it's a Mexican tradition.
We want to celebrate all of our life ethnicities, all
of our rich culture. This is a Southwest Detroit thing,
you know, so we need to take pride in this.
We have visitors coming that just want to be a
(16:09):
part of it, and we need to be you know,
take pride in that.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
Yeah, it's very very special. So what are some of
the most new, exciting new elements or enhancements that are
being introduced to the parade this year.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
Yeah, well, we've heard the community that we want to
add more school marching bands, so we are Yeah, we
love the school marching A marching band, yes, yes, I
mean they're so vibrant.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
They come and they represent for their community, for their schools.
I love it.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
I love the school pride. So we're waiving that fee
for them, So we want to encourage more of them
to come out. So we hope that they take advantage
of that and they come out and showcase what they
can do, highlight themselves. Yeah, and then as I mentioned before,
we are we're calling it Latino inclusive, So we want
(17:04):
all of the Latino ethnicities to raise their flags and
come out and show out their cultural pride, their resilience
in their communities, and tell their story. So we want
to encourage all of them to join our parade as well.
We have you know, Colombia and Venezuelan, Dominican, Puerto Rican.
We have all those flags and it's just beautiful to see.
Speaker 4 (17:27):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
And then lastly, because we have never really highlighted our
parade theme, we are highlighting it very much so now
and we want everyone to come out and decorate in
and represent for that theme.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
So we're going to have a contest.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
The winner will be announced at our after globe party
and it's going to be the person who decorated in
the best representation of our theme, past, present, future. So
we're looking at it as an intergenerational theme. We want
to see the youth. We want to see and we
want to see those legacy of leaders and those people
that built those businesses, those agencies, those organizations. We want
(18:10):
to see all of them, from young to old. We
want to see them out and.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
How that how they decide to represent that will be
so interesting to see it will.
Speaker 4 (18:18):
Be And people ask me how do I represent it?
Speaker 3 (18:21):
I can't tell you how to represent intergenerational theme and
how it looks for the future leaders and the leaders
that we stand upon now.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
So I can't tell you.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
I just I want to see you all be creative
and we'll see how it goes.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
So if somebody wants to get involved in an individual
group or local organization, how do they participate in the parade?
How can they find out more?
Speaker 3 (18:45):
Well, we launched a website this year. It's called Detroit
Single Demile Parade dot com. It has our Fiesta vendor application,
it has our parade application, and you know.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
A lot out of this was never online before two
years ago. This was word of mouth. This was through
the local businesses.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
They would come and drop off their or pick up
their application and drop it off there as well as
their money, and they just hope.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
For the best.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
So we're putting this all online. We want them to
come check us out. Check us out on Facebook, Mexican
Patriotic Committee of Detroit, check out our website. Sinkle the
Mile Parade Detroit singlethemio Parade dot com and they can
find all that application, how to get involved, where to park,
and how to show up. We want them to come
(19:39):
out with chairs and comfy shoes and watch and enjoy.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
Well, why do we talk about when they come out
and they bring their comfy shoes and they're walking around,
what kind of you know, artisan vendors and food trucks
and culinary and shopping experiences are you guys going to
have available there?
Speaker 1 (19:55):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (19:55):
Yeah, So we have our fiesta, our festival at Patent
Park in the parking lot. There's a lot of parking
around the park. We're gonna have local bands. We're gonna
have Beto Boys, a really fun local Mexican band, so
it's really fun. We're gonna have motor City Street Dance Academy.
(20:19):
They actually are our parade theme winners from last year,
so we're inviting them back. We're gonna have Gombas Youth Band,
which is a phenomenal youth troupe just you know, it
has a singer and and all the elements of a
band and they're all very young. Amazing, amazing. And then
we have a lot of traditional Folklodgo dance troops. So
(20:43):
we have some that are youth dance troops and then
we have some older ones like the Wayne State Ballet,
Folklodigo Dance Troupe.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
Oh wow, yeah, wow fun.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
I love the focus on youth to youth performances throughout
the weekend. It sounds like there are a lot of
those going on. You had mentioned the school bands and
all all sorts of programming going on for families.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
Yeah, we were really focused on the youth.
Speaker 3 (21:07):
We have face painting, we have the school marching bands.
We're gonna have cars so that they can check out
at the festival. Those corvettes that we're riding in are
also going to come back to the festival. Let the
kids kind of maybe not you know, climb into, but
they can look at and it's a lot of fun.
(21:28):
And then the folkloitical dance troops. What is plenty of food?
So we're gonna have plenty of food for all of
the families. Yes, absolutely, So.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Entertainment is always a big drop with everything you guys
do for the parade. How does the event spot like
local talent specifically and youth performances throughout the weekend?
Speaker 4 (21:50):
Well, the single the mile Parade and fiesta.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
It highlights local entertainment, small archies and vendors, and food
trucks from a variety of cuisines. This year, entertainment will
feature vocal sellings of Tiffany Gonzalez, music by Meto and
Those Guys, and the Compas Youth Band and the Motor
City Street Dance Academy, as well as traditional ballet, Folklodgo
(22:14):
dance troops. Plus there will be a grand exhibition by
the Southwest Championship Wrestling So your kids will not want
to miss that event.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
That sounds like a blast, it is it will, So listen.
This is a couple hours from now. Okay, if you're
wondering what you're gonna do today, this is it. This
is it. You're heading down to Southwest Detroit. You're gonna
hang out at the parade. You're gonna eat great food,
you're gonna hear great music, You're gonna see wonderful all
sorts of artisans, things you can buy, things you can
do to support the community. But also what's really cool
(22:47):
is you're also going to have community resources there for
the community, like nonprofits who are there to help provide different,
different all sorts of different benefits for the community. Let's
talk about some of those.
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Yeah, we have a lot of agencies that are helping entrepreneurs.
Also mental health agencies, you know those resources that maybe
the community does know that they can access. So we
have a lot of mental health, a lot of entrepreneur resources.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
We have the Nursing Association.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
That's there, talk about their the healthcare jobs we have.
We also have DPD that are going to be there,
just talking about law enforcement. So a lot of resources
not just for agencies, but also for job enrichment and
you know, things that support the local economy.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Yeah. So it's a great opportunity when you bring people
together for fund to also provide resources so that if
somebody just needs a hand or something, yeah, you know,
there it is, and it happens to be there while
they're having a great time, and they can pick up
some information and learn how they might get some extra
help if they need that. So you said on the website,
(24:02):
you said people can find where to find parking and
any logistics the map. I know that you had said
to the parks the new location is Patent Park, right,
that's been added this year. Why was that added and
what can they what can people look forward to at
that specific park.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
It was added because people were having trouble finding our
festival and we wanted to make sure that we put
it in a central location, so we chose Patent Park.
Speaker 4 (24:32):
It is a level ground.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
We want to encourage dancing and our food trucks to
be right on site, so the pavement actually gives way
for that. So it's it's an amazing location. It has
a lot of parking. The other location did not have
that much parking, so we want to make sure that
you have parking. You're able to walk up from all
(24:54):
sides of Patent Park. The food trucks are going to
be readily available. There's going to be dancing. So before
we were on terrain that wasn't It was kind of muddy,
so it.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Wasn't dance friendly.
Speaker 4 (25:05):
It wasn't dance friendly.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
That's it's actually.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
Everybody wants to dance. Wants to dance, Yes, everybody wants
to dance. It's good dancing location. We're gonna have a
dining tent, which we didn't have previous, but now we
can and so everybody can. We're gonna have a lot
of food trucks, different food trucks we're gonna have habachi obviously,
Hispanic foods, and the tackle trucks everybody loves, so we're
(25:33):
gonna have all that and dining food a dining tent.
So yeah, it just seemed it seemed like something that
we needed to do to enhance the festival. People were
having trouble finding it. They didn't know where to go.
Now we can say Patent Park and everybody knows where
it's at.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
Okay, so it kind of gives a central location.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
For Yeah, and the festival at Patton Park is a
week and long event. So it's Saturday and Sunday from
well to eight pm. It's all filled with the local
musical groups. All of our vendors will be out there
on Saturday and Sunday. We hope that we can encourage
more people to come out, bring their chairs, bring their
(26:14):
comfy shoes, and just hang out with us for the day.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Oh that sounds awesome. So let's see here. If people
are looking for more information, we want to send them
to Detroit, Sinco. Toomiopreay dot com. Right, Yes, that's the
location where you can find out all the information of
everything going on. If you're just joining us, our guest
is Alma Cruz. She's the President of Mexican of the
Mexican Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit, and we're discussing the
(26:38):
Sinco to Mayo event happening later today at noon. Are
there any items that visitors should be careful to leave
it home for safety of security reasons, anything that wouldn't
be welcome to the event that we should just be
aware of.
Speaker 3 (26:53):
Yes, this is a family friendly event, so we are
discouraging alcohol use.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
Leave it at home, folks, leave it at home.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
This is all for the community and for the families
that are in the community. So there's restaurants close by
that you can definitely partake, but yeah, without the.
Speaker 2 (27:13):
Don't bring that with you. Yeah, stop in the stopping
the restaurants and support your local businesses. Yes, how about that?
Speaker 4 (27:20):
Absolutely?
Speaker 2 (27:21):
And what is it that you are looking most forward
to in the event? You yourself, Me and myself?
Speaker 3 (27:28):
Well, I love the ballet Folkloordigo dance Troops. I tried
to join them when I was younger.
Speaker 4 (27:38):
I did, I was not very successful.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
And so therefore to watch them just the beautiful it
does like you guys did it.
Speaker 4 (27:50):
This is amazing and the.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
Beautiful wardrobes, the beautiful music, the gritos, that's.
Speaker 4 (27:58):
The cry, the screams that they have.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
Oh, I just love it, all their shoes and everything.
They really work hard, they practice hard, and I love
watching it. So I'm on the sidelines dancing with them
and enjoying it all.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Oh that's great. Yeah, And what do you what do
you see the future of the event? Looking like I
know that you're the grand marshal of the present, Yeah,
but what do you what do you see it? How
do you see happening in the future for this How
do you want it to evolve?
Speaker 4 (28:27):
Well?
Speaker 3 (28:28):
I want more young leaders to really take the reins,
to really understand maintaining these traditions and how it's important
to the cultural identity of Southwest Detroit, how it's lending
back to them. It boosts the local economy, It encouraged
community bonding.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
And it's so unique to us.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
And I think that some some youth it they take
it for granted, and then when they grow up and
they realize and they remember these core memories and they want.
Speaker 4 (29:02):
It for their own children.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
I would only hope that they come back and that
they take the reins and they make it bigger and
more beautiful. I mean, we would love to make it longer.
We would love to activate all of Southwest Detroit in
a big celebration. That's safe, that is, it just celebrates
(29:24):
the cultural pride for everyone.
Speaker 4 (29:27):
So hopefully we'll see.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
It's the future of it. So let's remind everybody what's
going on today.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
So today is the Single the Mile Parade, the sixtieth
annual Single the Mile Parade, a two point four mile
parade that goes down the heart of Southwest Detroite down
the Verner Corridor from Patent Park to Clark Park. You're
able to park anywhere from Patton Park around Clark Park
or anywhere in between.
Speaker 4 (29:54):
Grab a chair and sit.
Speaker 3 (29:55):
Down and enjoy at least one hundred different entities that
are entertaining you with school marching bands, with music, with agencies,
with dancers, and just enjoy yourself and more.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
Information can be found at.
Speaker 4 (30:10):
Detroit Sincothemile Parade dot com.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Listen, don't miss it. That's later today. It's going to
be an amazing, amazing event. Thank you for joining us.
Alma Alma Cruz, the president of the Mexican Patriotic Committee
of Metro.
Speaker 4 (30:23):
Detroit, Thank you. It was an honor.
Speaker 1 (30:26):
This has been light Up the D, a community affairs
program from iHeartMedia Detroit. If your organization would like to
get on the program, email Colleen Grant at iHeartMedia dot com.
Here are all episodes on this station's podcast page.
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