Cinco De Mayo – Tequila, Mariachis, Chiles, Oh My!

It is party time in the United States with the Cinco dethe Mexican republic.
Mayo fiestas around the corner. So raise your tequilaATLANTA (Georgia): May 6 --Considered the largest
glass and rock out Mexican style to celebrate theoutdoor Hispanic family festival, Fiesta Atlanta takes
holiday that commemorates Mexico’s victory overplace at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta,
the French.the day after Cinco de Mayo. Over 25,000 people are
Cinco de Mayo is one of the most celebrated Mexicanexpected to attend this event with a day-long
national holidays in the United States, where many U.S.celebration of Latino culture, music, food and
businesses and restaurants are decorated in green,handicrafts.
white and red, the colors of Mexico’s flag, toAUSTIN (Texas): May 3–6--The Texas capital city
observe this important day in traditional Mexicanof Austin hosts the annual Cinco de Mayo Music
fanfare. Although Cinco de Mayo celebrates theFestival, featuring an array of activities including Little
determination of Mexicans to remain free from foreignCinco, a Jalapeño Eating Contest, and dance
control, it is not Mexico’s Independence Day.contests including Salsa, Jitterbug, Polka and more.
HISTORYCHARLESTON (South Carolina) --Charleston’s
Following the devastating loss of thesecond annual Cinco de Mayo Festival will take place
Mexican-American War in 1848, Mexico was bothon Cinco de Mayo, at the Visitors Center Bus Terminal
financially and morally defeated. In 1861, presidentin downtown Charleston from 7 to 11 PM. The
Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which allcelebration featuring an authentic mariachi band will
foreign-debt payments would be suspended for aalso have performances by DJ Luigi Bravo of Latin
period of two years. Furious and eager to collectGroove and professional salsa dancers, as well as a
payment, England, France, and Spain invaded Mexico.variety of Mexican food, margaritas and beer.
Unbeknownst to the other countries, France had itsCHICAGO (Illinois): May 4–6 -- From Friday to
own agenda, ultimately aiming to impose a monarchicalSunday, Plaza Garibaldi will be home to a Cinco de
government upon the nations of Central and SouthMayo festival in Chicago. With over 25,000 people
America. Shortly after President Juarez offered aexpected to attend, this event at Little Village,
type of promissory note that guaranteed payments onsponsored by UNIVISION, is sure to be a festive hit.
its debt after the two years, England and SpainDENVER (Colorado): May 5–6--Touted as the
returned home, but the French continued their siege onlargest Cinco de Mayo Festival in the United States,
Mexico.Denver’s festival is lo maximo. Now in its 19th year,
On May 5, 1862, Juarez commanded General Ignaciothe festivities emphasize the celebration of freedom
Zaragoza to block the advance of the French forcesand culture, Denverites enjoy six stages of live
at the fortified hills of Loreto and Guadalupe near theentertainment, dancing, food and crafts at the Civic
city of Puebla. With only 2,000 men, most of them localCenter Park. In addition, the celebration includes a
Zacapoaxtla Indians from the Puebla region with nospecial concert with the Colorado Symphony
formal military training and little weaponry, the MexicansOrchestra among others, on May 4 and a Cinco de
were able to briefly defeat the French army of 6,000.Mayo Civil Rights Award event held (date to be
The victory was short-lived, though soon after, Franceannounced).
conquered Puebla and the rest of Mexico, ruling untilEL PASO (Texas): May 5 -- This “Taste of the
1867. Through a popular revolt, Juarez was finallyBorder” festival featuring mariachis, margaritas,
restored to power, remaining leader of Mexico until histequila and a mole extravaganza kicks off at 3:00 and
death in 1872.goes into the wee hours of the night.
BEYOND CINCO DE MAYOLITTLE ROCK (Arkansas): May 6 -- Organized by the
Cinco de Mayo was born in the central Mexican stateLeague of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), this
of Puebla. Its capital city, also called Puebla, is one of9th annual Cinco de Mayo party will be held in the
the most impressive and oldest colonial cities in Mexico.River Market Pavilion in downtown Little Rock. Miss
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its uniqueCinco de Mayo will be crowned at this all day event.
beauty, the magnificent historic center is an idealNEW BRUNSWICK (New Jersey): May 5 -- Featuring
starting point for a Cinco de Mayo tour.a variety of different Mexican foods and musical
While in Puebla, visitors can enjoy the historical Cincotalents is the Cinco de Mayo Festivities in New Jersey,
de Mayo sites such as the tomb and monument ofsupported by Mexico Americana at Joyce Kilmer Park.
Ignacio Zaragoza, the general who led Mexico toNEW YORK (New York): May 6 -- Organized by the
victory over France. The site of the battle is also aFiestas Patria de Casa Puebla committee is the Cinco
popular destination, featuring a museum with a displayde May Festival in Queens. From 10 to 6 on Sunday,
of hundreds of toy soldiers set up to show whatthere will be a variety of musical talents, foods and
happened on that day. Art expositions, concerts ofhandicrafts at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
both contemporary and classical Mexican music and aOAKLAND (California): May 5 -- This traditional
Mexican film series are also part of the attractions.celebration which had over 100,000 attendees last
An annual parade is held down Cinco de Mayoyear, the Cinco de Mayo Fruitvale Festival & Parade,
Avenue, and festivities include a reenactment of thelocated in the Fruitvale district of Oakland. The family
famous battle. Men dress as French and Mexicanfestival will feature stages of entertainment, more than
soldiers and generals, and women wear the clothing of200 vendors, children’s activities and arts and
the “soldaderas,” the women who cooked andcrafts.
looked after the soldiers in wartime. In somePORTLAND (Oregon): May 3–6--Portland’s
representations, the Mexican soldiers carry machetesCinco de Mayo Fiesta is a family oriented, fun-filled
and old gun-power rifles, and the French soldiers carryevent featuring four entertainment stages, delightful
bags with wine bottles and fruit.activities for children, artisans and vendors from the
Puebla has much more to offer besides its traditionalU.S., Canada and Mexico. Visitors can also enjoy the
Cinco de Mayo sites. Also worth a visit are theThird Annual Mariachi Festival, folkloric ballet and
museums displaying archeological objects, paintings,delicious food from some of the finest restaurants in
railroad cars, and other historic treasures, as well asthe Northwest.
many shops that specialize in Talavera pottery andST. PAUL (Minnesota): May 4-5--Festivities include
traditional treats. Wander through the Los Sapossalsa-tasting contest, a children’s area, sports zone,
district to buy antiques and to sample wonderfulcraft vendors, a parade, a history area and live music
poblano dishes including mole and chiles en nogadaand entertainment, featuring a variety of Hispanic
(when in season) from a wide range of restaurants.Latino dancers, performers and musicians.
Puebla State offers other beautiful cities to visit inSAN ANTONIO (Texas): May 4-6--San Antonio draws
addition to its capital city. Cholula, located about 5 milesabout 30,000 to its festivities with food booths at its
from the city of Puebla, has a very importanthistoric Market Square, street dancing, handicrafts,
archeological site that includes the “Granconcerts and other commemorations. Everyone from
Piramide” (the Big Pyramid), also known as themariachis and folkloric dancers to Tejano and conjunto
Tenapa Pyramid, occupying more space than anygroups provide plenty of entertaining activities.
other pyramid in the world. Built on top of the pyramidSAN DIEGO (California): May 5-6--Visitors will enjoy a
is the church Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de losweekend of festivities including open-air entertainment
Remedios which was completed in 1666. Its symbolicfeaturing more than 200 performers at eight venues,
position stands witness to the role of the Catholicalso more than 100 specialty booths handcrafts and a
church in the conversion of the indigenous people.Mexican feast featuring a delicious variety of regional
CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATIONS IN THE UNITEDcuisine.
STATESAbout the Mexico Tourism Board
Typically held during the first week of May, Cinco deThe Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the
Mayo boasts carnivals, street fairs and multi-dayresources of federal and state governments,
festivals held over the U.S. Below is a list of some ofmunicipalities and private companies to promote
the largest celebrations in the United States.Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations
ALBUQUERQUE (New Mexico): May 5 --The Newinternationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s
Mexican capital, Albuquerque, will be hosting a Cinco detourism promotion agency, and its participants include
Mayo celebration with Ballet Folklorico. This troupemembers of both the private and public sectors. The
from the Mexican state of Nayarit, showcases a vastMTB has offices throughout North America, Europe,
wealth of artistic tradition from Nayarit and throughoutAsia and Latin America.