Columbus, Ohio- Since every bar in Columbus co-opts Cinco de Mayo into a massive margarita party, the North Market concluded we could craft our own local concept for the holiday and concocted the Cinco D’Ohio Festival. Sure, the traditional Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican militia’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, while CINCO D’OHIO exalts the exceptional array of culinary commodities available from in-state producers. Since our interpretation originates from our earnest mission to support small, local businesses we believe we’re honoring the spirit of modest Mexico triumphing over forceful France. Join us for our third annual Cinco D’Ohio Festival at the North Market on Saturday, May 2nd. Ohio farmers, Ohio Proud vendors and their homegrown and home-state created products will be celebrated with a little fiesta flamboyance.

Cinco D’Ohio always marks the first outdoor festival of the season at the North Market. The farmers’ market will officially open and Ohio Proud vendors will join our farmers in the plaza selling Ohio-made foodstuffs. The Market is known for its festival culinary contests and Cinco D’Ohio will have three: Salsa, Hot Sauce and the Chef Taco Taste-Off. The Amateur Salsa Contest will earn the first place winner $50 in North Market gift certificates and the runner-up $25 in gift certificates. The Amateur Hot Sauce Contest winner will be rewarded with $50 in North Market gift certificates and the runner-up $25 in gift certificates. In the expert category, local Chefs can demonstrate their taco-constructing skills in the Chef Taco Taste-Off. The victorious chef will garner a special trophy and $100 in North Market gift certificates. Participating chefs for the taco taste-off include Alana Shock of Alana’s Food + Wine, Matthew Litzinger of L’antibes, Janel Hedgepeth of Barley’s Brewing Company, John Skaggs of mycateredtable.com and Ken Smith of Catering Consultants. All prizes for all contests will be matched with an equal amount of gift certificates from CaJohn’s Flavor and Fire providing for a flavorful shopping spree.

For the kids there will be all kinds of amusement including face painters, a fun show and piñatas to burst and scramble for prizes!

“Our partnership with Ohio Proud enables us to bring in an assortment of local producers familiar and unknown for the Cinco D’Ohio Festival who create their products within the state,” says North Market Executive Director, David Wible. “It’s yet another venue for us to showcase local producers who are looking to build awareness for their products.”

Cinco D’Ohio Festival Schedule:

· 8 a.m. North Market opens, Ohio Proud vendors open on farmers’ market plaza
· 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Cooking demonstrations in the Dispatch Kitchen (dubbed CaJohns Kitchen for the day) by John Hard of CaJohns Flavor & Fire
o 9:00 Culinary demonstration by an Ohio Proud vendor
o 9:45 Culinary demonstration by an Ohio Proud vendor
o 10:30 Salsa contest
o 11:15 Chef Taco Taste-off
o 12:00 Hot Sauce contest
o 12:45 Culinary demonstration by CaJohns Flavor & Fire
o 1:15 Culinary demonstration by Curds & Whey
o 2:30 Culinary demonstration by Urban Chefs
o 3:15 Culinary demonstration by an Ohio Proud vendor
o 4:00 Culinary demonstration by an Ohio Proud vendor
· 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., bluegrass music by Slate Ridge
· 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., steel drum music by Island Breeze
· 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., accordion music by Marion Funk
· 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Columbus Dog Connection showcases adoptable dogs
· 1 p.m., kids can take a swing at the piñata full of goodies!
· 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mark Wood fun show, cowboy and magic tricks
· 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., face painting for the kids
· 1 – 3 p.m., live music by Loosely Strung
· 3 – 5 p.m., live music by One More Time String Band

Cinco D’Ohio vendors will include: Anderson Orchard, Annie B’s Hometown BBQ Sauce, Billy Jim’s BBQ Rub, Black Swamp Gourmet, Blue Jacket Dairy, Buckeye Mustard, Flowers of the Good Earth, Heartland Herbs, Honeyrun Farm, The Jam and Jelly Lady, Misty Mountain Estate, Chuck Evans’ Montezuma Brand, Oakvale Farmstead Cheese, Ohio Proud, Purely American, Rhoads Farm, Schwebel Baking Company, Shearer’s Potato Chips, Steven’s Bakery & Orchard, Summer Thyme Farm, Toby Run Growers, Toad Hill Farm, Urban Chefs and Wishwell Farms Produce.

The North Market Cinco D’Ohio Festival on Saturday, May 2nd is a free event. Festival activities will take place from 9a.m.-5p.m. Market hours are 8a.m. – 5 p.m. To participate in any of the contests and for more information, please call (614) 463-9664 or visit www.northmarket.com.

In operation since 1876, the North Market is Columbus’ only true public market. More than 30 merchants offer a wide variety of fresh produce, meat, poultry, seafood, flowers and other specialty food items. The Market also provides an international selection of freshly prepared foods, distinctive gifts and personable service from owner/operators. The North Market is open daily and located steps away from the Columbus Convention Center and Nationwide Arena