Fiesta Madre

By Charly Haley
Contributing Writer

This Mother’s Day, Fargo-Moorhead area mothers should get ready for a carnival.

On May 8, Fiesta Madre will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Robert D. Johnson building at 1104 2nd Ave. S. Fargo.

Proceeds from the will go to the Federation of Families for Children with Mental Health, Fargo chapter.

Event organizer James Osborne said the Federation has come across some financial issues recently and is possibly in danger of losing their office.

Osborne said the event originally was going to be called “Fiesta Grande.” But once he realized the event was on Mother’s Day, Osborne and other event contributors changed the event from “Fiesta Grande” to “Fiesta Madre,” and decided to direct much of the event to mothers.

“I think we’re going to have massage booths,” Osborne said. “A lot of our raffle items and our silent auction items are going to be more mom-oriented, where originally they were going to be more kid-oriented. “It’s basically a party for mothers.”

Although many aspects of Fiesta Madre are directed specifically to mothers, the event is something an entire family could enjoy.

“It is a family event,” Osborne said. “It’s a place for you to bring your kids. There’s going to be a bunch of games for kids, it’s going to be a carnival, but at the same time, there’s going to be mother-related stuff there.”

The event will also feature live music.

Osborne himself is not affiliated with the Federation, but he knows Deb Jendro of the Federation of Families, and they had discussed holding an event like this for a benefit, and Osborne took it upon himself to organize the benefit.

“I’m not affiliated with the Federation,” Osborne said, “I’m basically just a benefit organizer.”

Osborne said he believes the Federation of Families is a worthy cause for a benefit such as Fiesta Madre.

“I really think that they do good things,” Osborne said. “They help underprivileged kids get diagnoses for things. A lot of underprivileged families, they don’t have the luxury of having mental health professionals in their lives, and so that’s what the Federation does.”

Admission to Fiesta Madre is free, proceeds from the raffle, silent auction and carnival will go to the Federation of Families.

“I really hope a lot of people come out for it,” Osborne said. “I’m excited for it; I think it’s going to be fun.”

In addition of Fiesta Madre, there will be an event that night, called the Battle of the Glands, featuring eight bands performing at the Aquarium in Fargo.

Osborne said Battle of the Glands is a competition for the sweatiest band in Fargo, and its proceeds will also benefit the Federation of Families.

“So there’s a family-oriented event during the day,” he said, “and then there’s a more entertainment at night.”

For more information of Fiesta Madre, contact Osborne at 701-541-2168 or Andrea Anderson at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

For more information on the Fargo chapter of the Federation of Families for Children with Mental Health, contact Deb Jendro at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Questions and comments: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

IF YOU GO:
What: Fiesta Madre Mother’s Day Carnival
When: May 8th, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Robert D. Johnson building, 1104 2nd Ave. S. Fargo