A few changes are coming to the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in Hermiston set for next month.
For one thing, the event will take place at Butte Park after several years in the downtown area in front of Hermiston City Hall. Also, the event will take place over two days – May 6-7.
And finally, unlike previous years, there will not be a beer garden at this year’s celebration.
Hermiston City Councilor Clara Beas-Fitzgerald made the request for a beer garden approval at Butte Park. She told her fellow councilors that a beer garden would generate revenue for future celebrations. Beas-Fitzgerald, who also represents the city on the Hermiston Hispanic Advisory Committee, did not take part in the council discussion nor the vote after making the request.
Hermiston Parks and Recreation Director Larry Fetter said the event has outgrown its former location on Second Street.
Cinco de Mayo committee member Mark Gomolski said the event has already been completely planned out and that it is too late to change the location, and encouraged the council to support the event by approving the beer garden.
Councilors expressed concern that if it approved a beer garden at Butte Park for Cinco de Mayo, it would open the door for other requests for a beer garden at Hermiston’s largest park.
After more discussion Councilor Kirwan moved to approve the Cinco de Mayo beer garden request at Butte Park, but no one seconded the motion and the issue died.
