Mercado on Fifth To Wrap Up Another Colorful, Delicious Season
Moline’s Mercado on Fifth is living, wondrous proof that diversity is one of America’s (and the Quad Cities’) greatest strengths.
I had not been to the glorious street festival – on Moline’s Fifth Avenue from 12th Street west – in far too long, and I reveled in the colors, flavors, aromas, sights and sounds on Sept. 12 before attending a Playcrafters show that night. Now in its ninth season (running late May to late September), the Friday night Mercado, 5 to 10 p.m., gives new meaning to the “TGIF” catch phrase.
Celebrating all things Mexican, honoring the QC’s booming Latino population, this past Friday’s well-attended festivities featured Danza Sta. María from St. Mary Catholic Church Moline and Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico painting the street with stylish color and dance, Ruben’s Show for the laughs, and Diego “Blue Malboro” Raya with music.
One of the many performers at Mercado on Fifth, Sept. 12, 2025, Moline.
A dancer with Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico at Mercado on Fifth.
Dancers from St. Mary Catholic Church in Moline at Mercado Sept. 12, 2025.
Since 2016, the family-friendly events (now with a $5 admission fee) feature a dizzying variety of food trucks, mobile boutiques and retail vendors, children's activities, and live Latin music and entertainment. Ther dedicated nonprofit organization works with both English and Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs to help start and grow their businesses. The Mercado community center (covered with jaw-droppingly beautiful exterior murals) has 6,300 square feet of indoor space and 5,000 square feet of outdoor patio space is open for year-round programming and events.
Since its founding, Mercado has supported over 65 businesses, offered paid opportunities to cultural practitioners, and created a space where tradition and innovation thrive together.
Mercado on Fifth fosters social interaction by drawing a diverse crowd, nurtures and defines a sense of community and cultural pride, creates a connection between the Floreciente neighborhood and Moline’s downtown, promotes a sense of comfort and belonging by advancing social inclusion, and builds and supports an equitable local economy by supporting small-scale entrepreneurship.
It also offers seriously delicious food and drink for sale, in addition to its arts and craft vendors, selling everything from jewelry, to clothing to toys. The Mercado center has a bar with a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and I had the “Mercado-rita” (lime margarita) and a tasty steak gordita from the Mi Oaxaca food truck (complete with a shell boasting the Mexican flag colors) for just $13 altogether.
The Mercado on Fifth community center (12th Street and 5th Avenue) serves adult beverages (wristband required).
There are fun activities for kids and lots of benches and other places to sit and relax, while the market also provides learning opportunities for children and information about local nonprofits for adults. My wife works at the Putnam Museum & Science Center, which had a table out last Friday.
The last Mercado of the season will be Friday, Sept. 26, but Mercado on Fifth will have its fourth-annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration on Nov. 1, 2025 with an exciting new twist: this year’s parade floats and altars will remain stationary decorating the Mercado grounds. Attendees will be able to walk through at their own pace, enjoying the intricate displays as well as the food vendors, live performances and traditional crafts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The day’s schedule will include:
● Live Performances: Glenview Middle School Mariachi band, Quad City Ballet Folklórico, Ambición Norteña, Charlotte Blu and more local Latin music.
● Cultural Activities: Face painting, paper flower making, and sugar skull decorating for children and families
● Culinary Offerings: Traditional dishes and seasonal favorites including pan de muerto and atole.
● Altars & Art Installations: Community ofrendas, large-scale tributes and floats.
● Traditional Dress & Makeup: Patrons are encouraged to attend in Catrina/Catrin dress and makeup if interested.
“This celebration is about remembrance, unity, and joy,” said Mercado executive director Frances Williams. “We are excited to offer the Quad Cities’ first stationary parade that allows families to engage with each display at their own pace while deepening their connection to this beautiful Mexican tradition.”
On Saturday, Oct. 4, Mercado will also host its first-ever comedy show featuring the hilarious Ruben Ramirez, starting at 8 p.m., plus music and vibes by DJ Alex.
Mercado on Fifth shows us that people share so much more in common than divides us – love, family, music, dance, food, hope, dreams and boundless human creativity transcend borders and languages. For more information, visit its Facebook page HERE.