This weekend: Cinco de Mayo, May Day mayhem and more
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Forget the beer garden -- dive right into the tequila at the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta's margarita garden. Minnesota's "spiciest" festival is held in the District del Sol on St. Paul's West Side, and is one of the largest festivals of its kind, with six-plus blocks of food vendors, unique crafts, kid-friendly activities and five stages of music. This traditional fiesta is celebrated to honor Mexican heritage and particularly the anniversary of the 1862 Battle of Puebla, a legendary defeat of French troops. Celebrate at the low-rider car show and hydraulic showdown, test the delicious flavors of the People's Choice salsa contest, and enter your friends into the jalapeño-eating contest.
- Amber Schadewald
May Day Mayhem
Celebrate May Day in style with this second annual fashion show produced by scenemaker Richard Moody, showcasing fashions from Italian-styled boutique Il Vostro, which carries popular lines Hale Bob and BB Dakota, as well as Italian-made handbags, with styling from Miyagi Salon. The night will close with a performance from up-and-coming Minneapolis rapper Most Official, recently named a finalist in the Loud.com/Universal Records search for the next hip-hop superstar. (9-11 p.m. Fri. $5-$8.)
- Jahna Peloquin
Craftstravaganza & Living Green Expo
Support both sustainability and local artisans in one place this weekend, as Minnesota's largest environmental event and its most popular "rogue art and craft fair" join forces at the State Fairgrounds. At the fourth annual Craftstravaganza, more than 60 vendors will sell handmade goods. Swag bags will be given to the first 100 shoppers. (9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., free. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, www.craftstravaganza.com). Meanwhile at the Living Green Expo, more than 250 experts will offer simple solutions to eco-friendly living. Saturday's big event is a bike-fashion ride showcasing clothing and accessories that make transportation functional and stylish, while Sunday includes a "Dressing Green on Any Budget" fashion show with local designers, thrift stores and boutiques that focus on eco-friendly clothing.
- Jahna Peloquin
