Happenings in the Latino Community

Cristo Rey Fiesta Mid-Michigan’s 2025 earliest festival is almost here! Cristo Rey Fiesta offers homemade Mexican food, live music and entertainment, beverage tent, vendors, dancing and so much more! Since the beginning the Cristo Rey Fiesta has long been known as a weekend to bring families and friends together. Since 1979 the Fiesta has been a must go to event. Mark your calendar!

Fiesta hours: Friday – Gates open at 4pm. Fiesta til 10:45pm.

Saturday – Gates open at 11:00am. Fiesta til 10:45pm

Sunday – Gates open at 10:00am. 11:00am La Misa/Mass. Welcome at 1:30pm. Raffle Winners Announced at 6:00pm. 7:00pm Fiesta ends.

Cost:

Friday AFTER 5:00pm is $5.00

Saturday AFTER 5:00pm is $5.00

Sunday is Family Day – Free Admission.

NOTE: An adult must accompany persons under 18 years of age.

Location: 201 E. Miller Rd. Lansing, Michigan 48911

For more information please contact Cristo Rey Church at 517-394-4639.

Fiesta 2025 will take place on Memorial Day Weekend, May 23, 24, and 25, 2025 at the church grounds 201 W. Miller Rd. Lansing, MI. This year is our 47th Annual Fiesta 2025 will continue to feature authentic Mexican cuisine, The menu includes, but is not limited to, CHICKEN GORDITAS, STREET TACOS (pork and asada), NACHOS, RICE AND BEANS, FAJITAS (Beef skirt tacos), BARBACOA TACOS (Cheek meat), MENUDO, SOFT DRINKS, PIZZA.

From our Garden Tent, DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED BEVERAGES. The best traditional music and dance performances, and our “MERCADO” (marketplace) which offers traditional costumes,
arts and crafts from the various Latin American countries represented in our community. For our young patrons there will be a children’s carnival by MASON RAIL TIME ADVENTURES. There will also be information booths from businesses and organizations in the area, and much more.

Special invitation to our SALUTE TO VETERANS’ CEREMONY which will continue the tradition of
honoring the memory of our fallen heroes and to salute those who have served and those who are serving in our military and those who are serving in public safety. This special ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 25th, right after MASS. The Fiesta is the largest Latino Festival in Mid-Michigan, attracting thousands of people to this three-day event.

ABOUT CRISTO REY CHURCH FIESTA
Since 1979, the Cristo Rey Church Fiesta has been the first major festival of the year in Mid-Michigan and the major fundraiser of the church. While our Fiesta serves to strengthen our community’s identity, it also serves the Greater Lansing Community by highlighting the area’s rich cultural diversity while allowing the church to provide basic services to the community, such as housing assistance, food distribution, senior citizen meals, Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets, annual health clinic, referrals to other services, on site food basket without regard to church affiliation.

For more information please contact Fiesta Chair Guillermo Z. Lopez at zamorag0109@gmail.com or the Church at 517-394-4639.

Salinaz Promotion & DJ E-Nyce presents:
The Cinco De Mayo (2 Day Celebration)
Sunday May 4th: Free event, all ages on the patio of The Lansing Shuffle.
2pm-9pm: Latin Vibes all day!
3pm: Fantasia Ballet Forklorico

Monday May 5th:
5pm-8pm: More Latin Vibes
6pm: Greater Lansing Area Forklorico.
Enjoy Dinner with Takitos AF

Sponsorship at Vendors please contact Emilio: 810-223-2120
or Salinaz Promotions 

The City of Lansing’s very popular “Concert in the Park” Series lineup has been announced, and Grupo Dezeo will be at Wilson Park on the city’s Northwest Side. Grupo Dezeo will bring their Tejano style version to the park having performed all across the Midwest.

Located at 3801 Wilson Ave., the Grupo Dezeo will also be joined by the La Fajita Food Truck with the music starting at 7:00pm. The Concert in the Park Series has offers 8 weeks of different genres at 8 different parks around the Lansing, Michigan area. Each concert is completely free.

Grupo Dezeo Facebook Page: Facebook

Grupo Dezeo Facebook Event Page: TBA

Concert in the Park Series Facebook Page: Concerts in the Park | Lansing, MI – Official Website

The Lansing School District proudly presents the Latino Recognition Ceremony to be held Friday, May 16, 2025 at the Alfreda Schmidt Community Center located at 5815 Wise Rd. Lansing, Michigan 48911. Lansing School District 2025 Graduates are invited to take part in the ceremony by registering with Marisol Garcia at marisol.garcia@lansingschools.net.

There will be a Scholarship awarded at the ceremony. Application details can be found below with all applications due by midnight Saturday, April 19, 2025. Must be present to be awarded.

For questions or more information please contact Marisol Garcia at marisol.garcia@lansingschools.net.

REQUIREMENTS:

 Applicants must be a graduating senior of the Lansing School District and have at least a
2.0 grade point average.
 The applicant must be accepted to an accredited 2- or 4-year public/state college or
vocational/trade school by the time the scholarship check is awarded.
 Applicants must fill out the application completely, accurately, and provide a letter of
college acceptance to be considered.
 Students awarded a scholarship will be notified by email.
 The scholarship recipient and parent(s) or guardian(s) must attend the Latino
Recognition Ceremony to be held on Friday, May 16, 2024, at 6:00 pm at Lansing
Technical High School/Harry Hill Center, 5815 Wise Road, Lansing, MI 48911.
DEADLINE:
Application and essay must be received no later than midnight on Saturday April 19, 2025.
APPLICATION PROCESS
 You will need to upload an essay with your application.
 Please upload an essay for only ONE of the essay prompts using PDF format.
 The essay should be a Minimum of 500 words or more.
 Questions about the scholarship application can be directed to
marisol.garcia@lansingschools.net

REQUISITOS:
 Los solicitantes deben ser estudiantes de grado 12 en el Distrito Escolar de Lansing y
tener un promedio de calificaciones de al menos 2.0.
 El solicitante debe haber sido aceptado en una universidad pública/estatal acreditada de
2 o 4 años o en una escuela vocacional/técnica para enviar el cheque de la beca.

 Los solicitantes deben completar la solicitud de manera completa y precisa, y
proporcionar una carta de aceptación universitaria para ser considerados.
 Los estudiantes que reciban una beca serán notificados por correo electrónico.
 El beneficiario de la beca y su(s) padre(s) o tutor(es) deben asistir a la Ceremonia
de Reconocimiento Latino que se llevará a cabo el viernes 16 de mayo de 2024 a
las 6:00 p. m. en Lansing Technical High School/Harry Hill Center, 5815 Wise
Road, Lansing, MI.
FECHA LÍMITE:
 La solicitud y el ensayo deben recibirse a más tardar a la medianoche del sábado 19
de abril de 2025.
PROCESO DE SOLICITUD

 Deberá subir un ensayo junto con su solicitud.
 Por favor, suba un ensayo para SOLO UNA de las preguntas indicadas, en formato
PDF.
 El ensayo debe tener un mínimo de 500 palabras o más.
 Las preguntas sobre la solicitud de beca pueden dirigirse a
marisol.garcia@lansingschools.net

The 5th Annual 517 Juneteenth Weekend is back in REO Town in 2025!

Join us June 19 – June 22, 2025, as we commemorate Juneteenth with four days of culture, community, and celebration in the heart of REO Town, Lansing. From powerful conversations and family-friendly gatherings to an electrifying street festival and a soulful night of jazz, this milestone year will be bigger than ever!

Save the Dates & Join the Celebration

Thursday, June 19 – 517 Juneteenth Seminar (Cadillac Room, REO Town):
Kick off the weekend with an insightful and transformative discussion exploring the intersections of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, uncovering themes of wholeness and freedom. This annual seminar brings together community voices and changemakers for thought-provoking conversations, actionable insights, and networking in a space dedicated to Black empowerment and holistic well-being.
(RSVP to attend)

Friday, June 20 – 517 Juneteenth Ice Cream Social (Riverview Parking Lot, REO Town):
A community favorite, this family-friendly event offers free ice cream, interactive activities, music, and more! Enjoy performances, STEM experiences, youth vendors, and hands-on learning stations that make for an unforgettable celebration of community, history, and joy.
(Free to attend)

Saturday, June 21 – 517 Juneteenth Festival (S. Washington Ave, REO Town):
The signature event of the weekend, the 517 Juneteenth Festival, transforms REO Town into a vibrant hub of Black culture, music, business, and celebration. With 90+ Black-owned business vendors, a dynamic lineup of live music and DJs, a fully stocked Kidz Zone, and a street-wide dance party, this festival is a high-energy tribute to freedom, legacy, and community.
(Free to attend)

Sunday, June 22 – 517 Juneteenth Jazz Night (Cadillac Room, REO Town):
Close out the weekend with an evening of live jazz, soulful melodies, and smooth instrumentation in an intimate, laid-back setting. This donation-based event brings the community together to celebrate the legacy of Black music while supporting the continued growth of 517 Juneteenth Weekend.
(RSVP to attend)

Interested in becoming a vendor? Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSd7FYXiRH34sR…/viewform

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSctrjt4VNEwGR…/viewform

Special thanks to our 2025 sponsors for making this celebration possible:

MSUFCU – Exclusive Credit Union
City of Lansing
Campari Group(Espolon, Grand Marnier, Courvoisier) – Exclusive Spirits
AF Group
The Ovation
Jackson National
University of Michigan Health – Sparrow
Delta Dental
Lansing Board of Water & Light
Gillespie Group
CEDAM
Rathbun Insurance
Full Circle Financial Planning
Downtown Lansing, Inc.
Choose Lansing

Stay connected, get involved, and learn more at 517juneteenth.com.

Ingham County is excited to invite you to be part of the 2025 Unity in the Community Eventas anexhibitor! This event takes place on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Hawk Island Park, bringing together organizations, resources, and families for an afternoon of connection, engagement, and celebration.

This FREE, family-friendly event provides a wonderful opportunity for you to share your organization’s mission and connect directly with the community. Last year, we welcomed 1,100 attendeesand 75 exhibitors, and we anticipate even greater participation this year! If you’d like to join us, please complete the exhibitor registration form below as space is limited:

https://inghamcounty.seamlessdocs.com/f/UITCExhibitor

We’ve also attached the Unity in the Community flyer and a sponsorship letter, offering an incredible opportunity for your organization to amplify its impact and gain valuable visibility as an event sponsor. Sponsoring this event provides an opportunity to engage with the community.