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Green Gatherings

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta: 2010

Event Overview
Location (City/Venue): 
Saint Paul, Mn District del Sol
Number of Attendees: 
100,000
Organization Hosting Event: 
Riverview Economic Development Association
Brief Background on Event: 

REDA has produced Cinco de Mayo Fiesta (Minnesota's Spiciest Celebration) for 28 years. It's the largest Hispanic/Latino event of any kind in Minnesota and one of the 10 largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the country. Annually bringing over 100,000 people most of the event is coordinated by a dedicated group of volunteers.

Food
Food Practices: 
Required safe food handling practices
Implemented a food waste recovery initiative (food to hogs, composting, etc.)
Waste & Recycling
Waste Management Methods Used: 
Trash Disposal
Recycling
Organics Management (food/paper waste composting, food to hogs, food donation, etc.)
Volume (cubic yards/tons) of Waste Managed: 
13
Program Audiences: 
Recycling - Vendors/Exhibitors
Recycling - Event Participants
Organics Management - Vendors/Exhibitors
Organics Management - Event Participants
Waste Reduction
Waste Reduction Methods Used: 
Use of technology to minimize paper waste (e.g. online registration, webcasting, no printing of meeting materials
Double-sided printing
Use of reusable plates, silverware, and linene
Electronic press kit
Use of reusable or recyclable decorations or signs
Resource and Energy Use
Energy Reduction Methods Used: 
Use of alternative energy generators for temporary power needs
Travel and Transportation
Transportation amenities offered at event: 
Park and Rides
Bike racks/parking
Transportation information promoted to event attendees/volunteers/vendors/exhibitors: 
Metro Transit Trip Planner
Bus routes
Bike maps
Pedestrian/Walking Maps
Location Selection: 
Held event at a venue easily accessible by transit
Construction and Deconstruction
Used recyclable materials for temporary structures
Rental of temporary structures (e.g., stages, tenting)
Other Initiatives
Please describe any other green initiatiives implemented at your event?: 

Green vendor awards, spfa green standards implemented, green zone

Results
What has been your biggest success in terms of green initiatives at your event?: 

awareness, pr, marketing

What has been your biggest challenge in terms of green initiatives at your event?: 

food waste reduction and collection

How were the green initiatives received by event attendees and/or vendors?: 

well

Will you plan to implement green initiatives again?: 

yes