Mercado on Fifth Announces Día de los Muertos Stationary Parade & Market

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Frances Williams

Executive Director, Mercado on Fifth

Mobile: 720-273-5723

Email: frances@mercadoonfifth.org

Mercado on Fifth Announces Día de los Muertos Stationary Parade &

Market

A vibrant cultural celebration honoring life, memory, and tradition

Moline, IL — September 11, 2025 - Mercado on Fifth is proud to announce its annual Día de

los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration with an exciting new twist: this year’s parade floats

and altars will remain stationary decorating the Mercado grounds. Attendees will be able to walk

through at their own pace, enjoying the intricate displays as well as the food vendors, live

performances and traditional crafts.

On November 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the community is invited to join in a day filled

with traditions:

● Live Performances: Glenview Middle School Mariachi band, Quad City Ballet

Folklórico, Ambición Norteña, Charlotte Blu and more local Latin music.

● Cultural Activities: Face painting, paper flower making, and sugar skull decorating for

children and families

● Culinary Offerings: Traditional dishes and seasonal favorites including pan de muerto

and atole.

● Altars & Art Installations: Community ofrendas, large-scale tributes and floats

● Traditional Dress & Makeup: Patrons are encouraged to attend in Catrina/Catrin dress

and makeup if interested

“This celebration is about remembrance, unity, and joy,” said Frances Williams, Executive

Director. “We are excited to offer the Quad Cities’ first stationary parade that allows families to

engage with each display at their own pace while deepening their connection to this beautiful

Mexican tradition.”

Mercado Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration

📅 Saturday, November 1, 2025

🕙 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

📍 Downtown Moline | Mercado on Fifth, 423 12th Street, Moline, IL 61265

️ Stationary Float or Altar Display Fee: $50

FREE ADMISSION

Día de los Muertos is a deeply rooted tradition that transforms remembrance into celebration.

Mercado on Fifth invites the community to experience an atmosphere filled with music, art,

culture, and togetherness.

Preliminary Program Schedule

🕙 10:00 AM – Grounds Open & Facepainting from Moline High School Art Club Begins

🕚 11:00 AM – Ambición Norteña – 1-hour set

🕛 12:00 PM – Live Local Band – 1-hour set

🕐 1:00 PM – Quad Cities Ballet Folklórico (QCBF) – 30-minute performance

🕑 2:00 PM – Glenview Mariachi – 20–30 minute performance

🕒 3:00 PM – El Camino de las Calaveras (The Path of Skulls) – Cultural runway competition

🕓 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Live Local Band – Closing performance

Mercado on Fifth is grateful for the support of Visit Quad Cities, Tyson Foods, the Isle Casino

and more who are making this new and unique celebration possible. For more information on

the different sponsor levels and how your business can benefit, please contact Frances Williams

at frances@mercadoonfifth.org.

Donations to support Mercado’s mission as well as our Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

celebration can be made online through PayPal at

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mercadoonfifth.

For more information or to register for the stationary parade, visit

www.MercadoOnFifth.org/2025ddm or contact Antonio Varela, Events and Promotions Manager

at antonio@mercadoonfifth.org.

About Mercado on Fifth

Mercado on Fifth fosters economic opportunity and cultural preservation by providing a platform

for Hispanic entrepreneurs, artists, and small businesses in the Quad Cities. Through its

open-air markets, seasonal celebrations, and year-round business development programs,

Mercado empowers minority entrepreneurs with capital access, bilingual training, and cultural

visibility. Since its founding, Mercado has supported over 65 businesses, offered paid

opportunities to cultural practitioners, and created a space where tradition and innovation thrive

together.

Our Mission:

Through public markets and community events, Mercado on Fifth serves as a resource and

catalyst for minority entrepreneurs and celebrates Latin culture in the Quad Cities.

Stay updated on this event and more by visiting:

🌐 www.MercadoOnFifth.org

📱 Facebook: Mercado on Fifth

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA

Contacto: Frances Williams

Directora Ejecutiva, Mercado on Fifth

Móvil: 720-273-5723

Correo electrónico: frances@mercadoonfifth.org

Mercado on Fifth anuncia el Desfile Estacionario y Mercado del Día de los

Muertos

Una vibrante celebración cultural que honra la vida, la memoria y la tradición

Moline, IL — September 11, 2025 - Mercado on Fifth se enorgullece de anunciar su

Celebración Anual del Día de los Muertos con un nuevo y emocionante giro: las carrozas y

altares del desfile de este año permanecerán fijos decorando el Mercado. Los asistentes

podrán recorrerlo a su propio ritmo, disfrutando de las elaboradas exhibiciones, así como de los

puestos de comida, las presentaciones en vivo y las artesanías tradicionales.

El 1 de noviembre, de 10:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m., se invita a la comunidad a unirse a un día lleno

de tradiciones:

● Presentaciones en vivo: Mariachi del colegio Glenview, Ballet Folklórico del Quad

Cities y música latina local.

● Actividades culturales: Pintacaritas, elaboración de flores de papel y decoración de

calaveras de azúcar para niños y familias.

● Ofertas culinarias: Platillos tradicionales y platos de temporada, como pan de muerto y

atole.

● Altares e instalaciones artísticas: Ofrendas comunitarias, homenajes a gran escala y

carrozas.

● Vestimenta y maquillaje tradicional: Se anima a los asistentes a asistir con el disfraz y

maquillaje de Catrina si les interesa.

“Esta celebración se centra en el recuerdo, la unidad y la alegría”, dijo Frances Williams,

Directora Ejecutiva. “Nos entusiasma ofrecer un Desfile Estacionario que permite a las familias

disfrutar de cada exhibición a su propio ritmo, mientras profundizan su conexión con esta

hermosa tradición mexicana.”

Dia De Los Muertos Celebración en Mercado on Fifth

📅 Sábado, 1 de noviembre de 2025

🕙 10:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m.

📍 Centro de Moline | Mercado on Fifth, 423 12th Street, Moline, IL 61265

️ Tarifa de Carroza o Altar del Desfile Estacionaria : $50

ENTRADA GRATIS

El Día de los Muertos es una tradición muy arraigada que transforma el recuerdo en

celebración. Mercado de la Quinta invita a la comunidad a vivir un ambiente lleno de música,

arte, cultura y unión.

Programa Preliminar

🕙 10:00 AM – Los terrenos abren y comienza la pintura facial para el público del Club de Arte

de Moline High School

🕚 11:00 AM – Ambición Norteña – concierto de 1 hora

🕛 12:00 PM – Charlotte Blu – concierto de 1 hora

🕐 1:00 PM – Quad Cities Ballet Folklórico (QCBF) – presentación de 30 minutos

🕑 2:00 PM – Glenview Mariachi – Presentación de 20-30 minutos

🕒 3:00 PM – El Camino de las Calaveras – Concurso de pasarela cultural

🕓 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Banda local en vivo – Presentación de clausura

Mercado on Fifth agradece el apoyo de Visit Quad Cities, Tyson Foods, Isle Casino y otros que

hacen posible esta nueva y única celebración. Para obtener más información sobre los

diferentes niveles de patrocinio y cómo su negocio puede beneficiarse, comuníquese con

Frances Williams en frances@mercadoonfifth.org.

Las donaciones para apoyar la misión de Mercado, así como nuestra celebración del Día de los

Muertos, se pueden realizar en línea a través de PayPal en

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mercadoonfifth.

Para obtener más información o inscribirse para el desfile de pie, visite

www.MercadoOnFifth.org/2025ddm o comuníquese con Antonio Varela, Gerente de Eventos y

Promociones, en antonio@mercadoonfifth.org.

Acerca de Mercado on Fifth

Mercado on Fifth fomenta las oportunidades económicas y la preservación cultural al brindar

una plataforma para emprendedores, artistas y pequeñas empresas hispanas en los Quad

Cities. A través de sus mercados al aire libre, celebraciones de temporada y programas de

desarrollo empresarial durante todo el año, Mercado empodera a emprendedores minoritarios

con acceso a capital, capacitación bilingüe y visibilidad cultural. Desde su fundación, Mercado

ha apoyado a más de 65 empresas, ofrecido oportunidades remuneradas a profesionales de la

cultura y creado un espacio donde la tradición y la innovación prosperan juntas.

Nuestra misión:

A través de mercados públicos y eventos comunitarios, Mercado on Fifth sirve como recurso y

catalizador para emprendedores minoritarios y celebra la cultura latina en Quad Cities.

Manténgase al día sobre este evento y más visitando:

🌐 www.MercadoOnFifth.org

📱 Facebook: Mercado on Fifth

Announcing Mercado on Fifth's Season 9

MOLINE, IL May 5, 2025 — Mercado on Fifth’s ninth season kicks off on Friday, May 23, 2025, on 5th Avenue at the gateway to Moline’s historic Floreciente neighborhood. Patrons can start the long Memorial weekend at Mercado. The weekly open-air market will run for 19 consecutive Fridays from 5 PM to 10 PM through September 26, 2025.

A Taste of Latin America & Unique Retail Finds
Mercado on Fifth continues to be the go-to destination for authentic Latin cuisine, with favorites such as tacos, burritos, tamales, pupusas, empanadas and guisados, alongside other diverse flavors from across the Americas. Sweet treats such as mangonadas, churro cheesecake, and fresh fruit cups will also be available.

For those looking to shop, the market features a variety of handcrafted goods, fashion accessories, and items imported from Latin America. From handmade jewelry and Lucha Libre masks to artisanal home decor and custom tumblers, visitors can browse an eclectic mix of treasures.

 (For a full list of vendors, visit https://www.mercadoonfifth.org/news)

Exciting Entertainment & Cultural Experiences
Beyond the food and shopping, Mercado on Fifth is a hub for live entertainment. This season will feature a dynamic lineup of Latin music, including banda, rock en español, salsa, and tributes to iconic artists. Traditional dance performances from Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico and Danza de Santa Maria will return, along with exhilarating Lucha Libre wrestling by SCW Pro Wrestling, a boxing exhibition, and a classic car show hosted by Latin Persuasion.

(The full entertainment and arts lineup can be found here, www.mercadoonfifth.org/news)

Rinconcito de Arte Returns

The “art corner” at Mercado will return for a second year.  For 2025, visitors can expect to see multi-media art pieces from local Latine artists, such as paper mache artist Victor Granados. QR codes will be available at each display so patrons can learn more about the artist and view more of their work.  All pieces will also be available for purchase directly from the artists.

(The full artist lineup can be found here, www.mercadoonfifth.org/news)

Thank You to Our Sponsors
Mercado on Fifth extends its gratitude to its 2025 season sponsors, including Modern Woodmen of America, Hiland Toyota, The Justin Cook Team at State Farm, Ascentra Credit Union, MidAmerican Energy Foundation, Riverside Family Dental, Group O, Lindquist Ford, Bally’s Casino, and Old National Bank. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Executive Director Frances Williams at frances@mercadoonfifth.org.

About Mercado on Fifth
Mercado on Fifth fosters economic opportunity and cultural preservation by supporting Hispanic entrepreneurs, artists, and small business owners in the Quad Cities. Through its weekly open-air markets, seasonal celebrations, and year-round business development programs, Mercado empowers minority entrepreneurs with access to capital, bilingual business training, and technical assistance. The organization also strengthens community identity by hosting traditional music, dance, and artisan vendors, ensuring Hispanic heritage remains visible and celebrated. Since its founding, Mercado has helped launch and support more than 65 businesses while providing paid opportunities for cultural practitioners.

Stay Connected
For updates, including the full musical lineup, visit www.MercadoOnFifth.org or follow Mercado on Fifth on Facebook at facebook.com/mercadoonfifth.

Join us at Mercado on Fifth and experience the Latin heart and soul of the Quad Cities this summer!