Downtown Evansville is quickly becoming a hotspot for photographers and for those of us who are selfie pros. Last weekend, the Love & Light Experience was a huge hit. The weather turned out to be beautiful for the two-night event. Friday, April 30, 2021, the DOWNTOWN EVANSVILLE – Economic Improvement District will unveil yet another amazing display. This one includes lights and will feature traditional Mexican folk art.

In addition to hanging lights, this alley space will feature papel picado. What is papel picado? Well, it's tissue paper flags chiseled with a variety of patterns and used to decorate buildings, Day of the Dead altars, and streets during different celebrations in Mexico. This will be a popular spot for Cinco de Mayo pics, which is next Wednesday, May 5.

Evansville Latino Center Director Abraham Brown says the installation will feature traditional hung papel picado as well as two giant, brightly-colored versions custom made for this display.

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500 Block Alley - Night photo
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There will be special live entertainment for the unveiling tonight. This is a great introduction into learning about different cultures. I've learned a lot just by doing some research for this article. I had never heard of papel picado, so I did a Google search and came across Pedro Ortega Lozano. Pedro is a self-taught artist that has won many awards for his tissue paper crafts. He describes the papel picado like this; "Just as happiness lasts a tiny moment, paper is also a tiny moment."

Friday, April 30, 2021
5:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Alley between 512 Main and 518 Main

The Evansville Latino Center has put together the entertainment lineup:

  • Mariachi singer Georgina Lopez Álvarez
  • Latino Folkloric Dance Group
  • Sophie Radionova and Olga Radionova from Signature School

Like Pedro Ortega Lozano's quote about the Mexican folk art indicates, the papel picado will only be on display for a little while. After June 14, 2021, it will be replaced with patriotic decor'. The lighting display was designed by Brian Wildeman of Wilde Horticultural Service.

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