Mercado on Fifth starts new season with La Sonora Santanera

By Anastassia Zvoryguina, Hola America

Moline, IL - For the past seven years, Fridays at Mercado on Fifth have become a family tradition for many Quad Cities residents. This is where Hispanic culture is celebrated, and local vendors showcase what they have to offer.

On May 26, at 5 PM Mercado on Fifth will launch a new season of fun with music and festivities.

“John Deere is sponsoring family activities and Glenview Mariachi is starting off the event with La Sonora Santanera ending the night,” shares Antonio Varela, Communications Director for Mercado on Fifth.

“Mercado is a one-of-a-kind open-air market that gives the Quad Cities a taste of Hispanic culture,” says Varela. It was started in 2016 by Bob Ontiveros and his granddaughter, Maria as a way to bring more businesses and recreational activities to the Floreciente Neighborhood of Moline to highlight the Quad Cities’ Hispanic culture in a unique way. “Since the 1st year of Mercado we have increased the number of new minority-owned businesses, bought the building adjacent to the market, called LA PLAZA DEL MERCADO, and we have had record-breaking seasons when it comes to patrons experiencing Mercado on

Fifth,” Varela proudly points out.

From the beginning, it has always been of outmost importance to everyone involved with Mercado on Fifth to represent Hispanic culture in a way that inspires pride. This year there are some big goals for the market. “This season Mercado on Fifth has a whole new team pushing it to the next level by highlighting our vendors, extending the area of the event, and making sure to further our mission of inspiring Hispanic cultural pride and providing access to bilingual enrichment and educational opportunities for a more empowered and engaged community,” explains Varela.

Everyone who has made Mercado on Fifth such a fun-filled Friday night tradition and those who have never been before are invited to the season opener on Friday, May 26, 2023.

“I would definitely advise those who have not gone to Mercado to fully embrace this Quad City experience by going and enjoying summer nights eating amazing food and dancing the night away!”

Mercado on Fifth is open to the public every Friday from 5 pm to 10 pm through September. It is located at 423 12th Street, Moline, IL. Look for them on Facebook or visit their webpage at www.mercadoonfifth.org