New nonprofit and downtown organizers credit Cinco de Mayo with drawing thousands to Big Spring

Founders of the newly formed nonprofit Friends of Historic Downtown Big Spring told the City Council that an estimated 3,000 people attended this year’s Cinco de Mayo downtown celebration, a significant increase from last year’s estimate of 300–500.

Monday Weeks, who said she lives at 123 South Main Street, and other founding members thanked the city, the visitor bureau and corporate and individual sponsors for financial and logistical support. Weeks said the group has formed an entertainment committee and invited community members to join. “We believe it was right around 3,000 people, which is pretty amazing considering last year, we figured we had about somewhere between 3 to 500,” Weeks said.

Council members and city staff expressed appreciation. The city manager and staff were thanked for providing funds the organizers said were critical to securing the lead performer and event infrastructure. An entertainment committee member, identified as Jose in the public comment, was singled out by Weeks for bringing the headline act.

Organizers asked the public to get involved with downtown activities; Weeks said the goal is to revitalize downtown with more dining, entertainment and shopping. “There’s a real energy downtown,” an organizer said. City officials also thanked organizers and said they look forward to future events downtown.