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Clearwater Downtown Development Board approves $6,200 grant for Unimex Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest
Summary
The Downtown Development Board awarded Unimex a $6,200 special event grant for the Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest at Coachman Park on May 4, 2025, after staff explained the organization's budget, city sponsorship and eligible expenses.
The Clearwater Downtown Development Board on Feb. 3 approved a special grant of up to $6,200 to Unimex to support the Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest at Coachman Park on May 4, 2025.
Board members approved staff’s recommendation after a brief discussion of the event’s 2024 turnout and budget. Vicky Shire, CRA division manager, told the board Unimex submitted an event budget of $23,665 and requested $10,800 in DDB grant funds. She said the city has separately approved a $10,000 community special event co-sponsorship that will cover many park expenses. Under Section 3 of the DDB grant policy, Shire said, grants may fund marketing, entertainment, insurance and city fees; staff calculated total eligible expenses at $16,200 and recommended awarding $6,200 to cover insurance, marketing, entertainment and any remaining city fees.
Unimex representatives described last year’s event as community-focused and said they expect about 1,500 attendees. Erica Escamilla, a Unimex representative, said musicians and vendors donated significant support in 2024 and that the organizers hope to reduce vendor fees to encourage participation. Edgar (vice president, Unimex) said the organization will emphasize family-friendly programming and youth employment opportunities.
Board member discussion praised the relatively modest grant request and noted a preference that events grow self-sustaining vendor and sponsorship revenue over time. The board moved and approved the item; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
The city’s Parks and Recreation sponsorship was described as separate from the DDB grant. Shire said Parks and Rec’s $10,000 co-sponsorship is intended to cover city fees, equipment and public communications; the DDB grant would apply only to eligible expenses not already covered by that co-sponsorship.
The board closed public comment with no members of the public speaking on the item. The grant award authorizes appropriate officials to execute related agreements and payments.
Notes: The event will run 2 p.m.–10 p.m. on May 4, 2025, at Coachman Park and is planned as a fee-free community celebration featuring food trucks, vendors, live music and family activities.
