PERRYSBURG – A bevy of local and legendary acts from the Tejano music scene are on tap this weekend for
the Quinceanera anniversary of Perrysburg Heights’ South of the Border Festival.
Now 15 years old – a significant milestone in Mexican culture – the festival will highlight the talent of
its artists while seeking to foster a cooperative spirit in the community. Scheduled for Friday from
4:30 p.m. to midnight and for Saturday from 2 p.m. to midnight at the Perrysburg Heights Community Park
and Center, 12282 Jefferson St., the two-day event features nationally-known and area Tex-Mex vocalists
and bands, a dance troupe and children’s activities.
The admission cost is $10 for ages 13 and up and $2 for children 6 to 12 years old.
All proceeds from the "festival with a focus" will help fund programming and operation expenses
of the Perrysburg Heights Community Center, which offers free programming to the community – with an
emphasis on educational, recreational and social engagement opportunities for youth. The Perrysburg
Community Association is wrapping up its fifth year of fundraising for a new gym and senior citizens
center.
With more than 7,000 attendees expected this year from the area and from across the country, organizers
hope the proceeds will put the association well on its way to achieving its cash-raising goal.
The name of the festival, in fact, was chosen to underscore a theme of openness.
As festival coordinator Anita Serda explained, "south of the border" may be used in reference
to the boundary between the United States and Mexico as well as Canada or Toledo or even Perrysburg.
"We kind of threw that in to let folks know that we wanted to be open to everyone, because I think
it’s very important to share in one’s culture and be open-minded in the diversity and gifts that
everybody has to offer," Serda said.
Entertainers set to appear Friday include: Grupo Energia at 4:30; Mariachi Las Altenas at 6; Eddie
Gonzalez at 7:15 and 9:45; and Jay Perez at 8:30 and 11. There will also be a 50-50 drawing at 10:45
that evening.
Saturday’s lineup includes: Los Hermanos Villegas at 2; La Nueva Onda at 6; the reunion of La Sombra at
7:15 and 9:45; and Tejano music legend Ruben Vela at 8:30 and 11. A jalapeno-eating contest is scheduled
for 3:40 that afternoon and there will be a 50-50 drawing at 8:20 that evening.
Also on Saturday, dance group Ballet Folklorico Imagenes Mexicanas will perform at 4 and then again at
4:45 with Mariachi Las Altenas.
The event additionally will feature artwork by children who participated in Perrysburg Area Arts Council
programming at the community center.
Available throughout the event will be inflatables for children, food and novelty vendors and local
organization information booths.
The event offers limited on-site parking for a $5 fee, as well as free parking at Perrysburg High School
with a shuttle service between the lot and the event admissions gate.
The event is organized by the PHCA, which was established in 1991.
According to the PHCA, all programming is free to all individuals of Wood County.
Serda said the event offers something of interest for people of all backgrounds and that it continues to
grow each year.
"It has evolved into a tremendously respected event," she said.