Colores del Mercado: A Tequila & Mezcal Experience

Explore the Flavors of Mexico at Mercado on Fifth’s Tequila & Mezcal Tasting Event

Quad Cities nonprofit hosts inaugural tasting event in Downtown Moline on May 2, 2025


MOLINE, IL March 21, 2025 - Mercado on Fifth is hosting a unique celebration of culture and community with its inaugural Tequila & Mezcal Tasting on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The event will be held at Mercado on Fifth (423 12th St.) in downtown Moline, with an exclusive VIP hour from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.


Organizers have curated an evening filled with unique tequila and mezcal tastings, delicious culinary pairings from Mercado vendors Mi Oaxaca, Creative Signature Cuisine and Delicias & Sabores; live music from local band Grupo Nuevo Estilo; and a visual walk through the history of Mercado as it looks toward its 10-year anniversary in 2026. Attendees will embark on a sensory journey all while supporting Mercado’s mission to celebrate Latin culture and provide economic opportunities in the Quad Cities.


Tequila & Mezcal Tasting Experience

Breakthru Beverage and G&M Distributors will educate guests on the production of tequila and mezcal, from agave cultivation to the distillation process. Guests will learn about the different types of these iconic spirits, their distinct flavors, aging processes, and tasting notes.  


A Creative Touch: Live Art with Featured Artist, Victor Granados

Mercado is thrilled to invite local folk artist Victor Granados to demonstrate traditional paper mache piñata-making at the event. The art piece created during the event will be raffled off at the end of the event. Granados, who has previously collaborated with Mercado on several projects, most recently designed the public altar and a special skull float for 2024’s Día de los Muertos celebration. His work brings family together, with his wife, Yessy, and their children contributing to Mercado’s many artistic endeavors.


Exciting Raffle Prizes and Mercado Merchandise

Event attendees will have the chance to win exciting raffle prizes, including:

  • A season pass for a family of four to Mercado’s 2025 summer season

  • A custom paper mache art piece created by Victor Granados

  • Gift certificates to local Latin restaurants

  • Full bottles of tequila and mezcal featured at the event

  • Mercado merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, and tumblers, (also available for purchase just in time for the opening day of Mercado’s outdoor public market on May 23, 2025).

Ticket Options:

Mercado on Fifth is offering four ticket tiers for this exclusive event:

  • $30 per person (advance ticket): General admission, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  • $40 per person (at the door): General admission

  • $50 per person (VIP ticket): Early access from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM, exclusive food pairings, extra time with experts, and two (2) raffle entries

  • $100 per person (Sponsor ticket): Includes VIP access, two (2) raffle entries, Mercado t-shirt, recognition as an event sponsor, and promotional gratitude at the event and beyond 


RSVP Now!

Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/colores-del-mercado-a-tequila-mezcal-experience-tickets-1296181165759?aff=oddtdtcreator


About Mercado on Fifth:

Mercado on Fifth fosters economic opportunity and cultural preservation by providing a platform for Hispanic entrepreneurs, artists, and small business owners in the Quad Cities. Through its weekly open-air markets, seasonal celebrations, and year-round business development programs, Mercado empowers minority entrepreneurs with access to capital, bilingual business training, and technical assistance. The organization also strengthens community identity by hosting traditional music, dance, and artisan vendors, ensuring Hispanic heritage remains visible and celebrated. Since its founding, Mercado has helped launch and support more than 65 businesses while providing paid opportunities for cultural practitioners. Its programs connect generations, offering hands-on workshops, performances, and mentorship that engage youth and reinforce cultural pride.


For more information and updates on the event, visit Mercado on Fifth's website and follow us on Facebook @MercadoOnFifth.


Mercado Holiday and Giving Tuesday Blog - December 2024

Felices fiestas! Mercado on Fifth has much to be grateful for this year.  As we celebrate the bounty of the holiday season and give thanks for our many blessings, we would like to take the opportunity to share how much of an honor it is to be of service in our Quad Cities community. Since its inception, Mercado on Fifth has been a community that cares.  The weekly, summer Friday night outdoor markets, our month long Dia De Los Muertos celebrations, and winter Friday night Loteria events have been a place where we hope you all have felt welcome. This year in particular is special, as we were able to host the 53rd annual Mr. Thanksgiving meal to bring back a dine-in option and fed nearly 1,200.


When you come to Mercado, we hope you have the opportunity to relax, break bread, listen to music, see the community through a different cultural lens and support small businesses with us. Mercado on Fifth creates unique events with so much heart and we will continue to do so.  Our mission is one that supersedes whoever sits in office, whatever spiritual beliefs you may have, your sexual orientation, your race, your ethnicity, your length of time in the U.S.A, your special and invisible abilities or the adversities you face. We are proud to be a Quad City organization that cares and brings the community together.  You can be confident that Mercado on Fifth will continue to be a place where all are welcome, dreams are nurtured, culture celebrated and connections to our shared humanity will be honored.  We remind you to take time to care for yourself and others, be grateful for the blessings in your lives and know Mercado on Fifth continues to care through our actions.  Together, we will be stronger through our community of care. We hope you will support our continued mission by making a donation to us this Giving Tuesday in one of these ways - 



Have a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season!


Frances Williams

Executive Director

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¡Felices fiestas! Mercado on Fifth tiene mucho por lo que estar agradecido este año. Mientras celebramos la abundancia de la temporada navideña y damos gracias por nuestras muchas bendiciones, nos gustaría aprovechar la oportunidad para compartir lo mucho que nos honra poder servir a nuestra comunidad de Quad Cities. Desde sus inicios, Mercado on Fifth ha sido una comunidad que quiere a todos. Los mercados semanales de los viernes en verano, nuestras celebraciones del Día de los Muertos durante el mes de octubre y los eventos de lotería de los viernes por la noche en invierno han sido un lugar donde esperamos que todos se hayan sentido bienvenidos. Este año en particular es especial, ya que pudimos organizar la 53.ª cena anual de Mr. Thanksgiving para traer de vuelta una opción para cenar en el lugar y alimentar a casi 1200 personas.


Cuando venga a Mercado, esperamos que tenga la oportunidad de relajarse, compartir en comida, escuchar música, ver a la comunidad a través de una lente cultural diferente y apoyar a las pequeñas empresas con nosotros. Mercado on Fifth crea eventos únicos con mucho corazón y seguiremos haciéndolo. Nuestra misión es una que va más allá de quien ocupe el cargo, cualesquiera sean las creencias espirituales que pueda tener, su orientación sexual, su raza, su origen étnico, su tiempo en los EE. UU., sus habilidades especiales e invisibles o las adversidades que enfrenta. Estamos orgullosos de ser una organización de los Quad Cities que se preocupa y une a la comunidad. Puede estar seguro de que Mercado on Fifth seguirá siendo un lugar donde todos son bienvenidos, se fomentan los sueños, se celebra la cultura y se honran las conexiones con nuestra humanidad compartida. Le recordamos que se tome el tiempo para cuidar de sí mismo y de los demás, que esté agradecido por las bendiciones en su vida y que sepa que Mercado on Fifth continúa preocupándose a través de nuestras acciones. Juntos, seremos más fuertes a través de nuestra comunidad de cuidado y cariño. Esperamos que apoyes nuestra misión continúa haciendo una donación este martes de donaciones de una de estas maneras:



¡Que pases unas felices, saludables y alegres fiestas!


Frances Williams

Directora Ejecutiva