Cinco de Mayo on Phelps Street celebrates the origins of the holiday

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The first annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Phelps Street took place Sunday despite rainy conditions.

On Phelps Street in downtown Youngstown, the community celebrated with live music by the Labra Brothers, cultural dances and mariachi — plus some vendors and food trucks were there.

Organizer Ariana Wyndham says it’s important to recognize Mexican culture and the origins of the holiday.

“As a Mexican American immigrant, I grew up here since I was nine years old, so I experienced what most immigrant children experience — which is the erasure of our culture, especially throughout school and our society — so what we hoped to do with this was to focus more on the culture, the history — to bring people back together,” said Wyndham.

The event was organized by Thrive Mahoning Valley, a group that focuses on helping immigrants in the area and creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

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