Cinco de Mayo - Tequila, Mariachis, Chiles, Oh my!

It is party time in the United States with the CincoATLANTA (Georgia): May 6 --Considered the largest
de Mayo fiestas around the corner. So raise youroutdoor Hispanic family festival, Fiesta Atlanta takes
tequila glass and rock out Mexican style to celebrateplace at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown
the holiday that commemorates Mexico's victoryAtlanta, the day after Cinco de Mayo. Over 25,000
over the French.people are expected to attend this event with a
Cinco de Mayo is one of the most celebratedday-long celebration of Latino culture, music, food and
Mexican national holidays in the United States, wherehandicrafts.
many U.S. businesses and restaurants are decoratedAUSTIN (Texas): May 3-6--The Texas capital city of
in green, white and red, the colors of Mexico's flag,Austin hosts the annual Cinco de Mayo Music Festival,
to observe this important day in traditional Mexicanfeaturing an array of activities including Little Cinco, a
fanfare. Although Cinco de Mayo celebrates theJalapeño Eating Contest, and dance contests
determination of Mexicans to remain free fromincluding Salsa, Jitterbug, Polka and more.
foreign control, it is not Mexico's Independence Day.CHARLESTON (South Carolina) --Charleston's second
HISTORYannual Cinco de Mayo Festival will take place on Cinco
Following the devastating loss of thede Mayo, at the Visitors Center Bus Terminal in
Mexican-American War in 1848, Mexico was bothdowntown Charleston from 7 to 11 PM. The
financially and morally defeated. In 1861, presidentcelebration featuring an authentic mariachi band will
Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which allalso have performances by DJ Luigi Bravo of Latin
foreign-debt payments would be suspended for aGroove and professional salsa dancers, as well as a
period of two years. Furious and eager to collectvariety of Mexican food, margaritas and beer.
payment, England, France, and Spain invaded Mexico.CHICAGO (Illinois): May 4-6 -- From Friday to Sunday,
Unbeknownst to the other countries, France had itsPlaza Garibaldi will be home to a Cinco de Mayo
own agenda, ultimately aiming to impose afestival in Chicago. With over 25,000 people expected
monarchical government upon the nations of Centralto attend, this event at Little Village, sponsored by
and South America. Shortly after President JuarezUNIVISION, is sure to be a festive hit.
offered a type of promissory note that guaranteedDENVER (Colorado): May 5-6--Touted as the largest
payments on its debt after the two years, EnglandCinco de Mayo Festival in the United States, Denver's
and Spain returned home, but the French continuedfestival is lo maximo. Now in its 19th year, the
their siege on Mexico.festivities emphasize the celebration of freedom and
On May 5, 1862, Juarez commanded General Ignacioculture, Denverites enjoy six stages of live
Zaragoza to block the advance of the French forcesentertainment, dancing, food and crafts at the Civic
at the fortified hills of Loreto and Guadalupe near theCenter Park. In addition, the celebration includes a
city of Puebla. With only 2,000 men, most of themspecial concert with the Colorado Symphony
local Zacapoaxtla Indians from the Puebla region withOrchestra among others, on May 4 and a Cinco de
no formal military training and little weaponry, theMayo Civil Rights Award event held (date to be
Mexicans were able to briefly defeat the Frenchannounced).
army of 6,000.EL PASO (Texas): May 5 -- This "Taste of the
The victory was short-lived, though soon after,Border" festival featuring mariachis, margaritas, tequila
France conquered Puebla and the rest of Mexico,and a mole extravaganza kicks off at 3:00 and goes
ruling until 1867. Through a popular revolt, Juarez wasinto the wee hours of the night.
finally restored to power, remaining leader of MexicoLITTLE ROCK (Arkansas): May 6 -- Organized by the
until his death in 1872.League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC),
BEYOND CINCO DE MAYOthis 9th annual Cinco de Mayo party will be held in the
Cinco de Mayo was born in the central Mexican stateRiver Market Pavilion in downtown Little Rock. Miss
of Puebla. Its capital city, also called Puebla, is one ofCinco de Mayo will be crowned at this all day event.
the most impressive and oldest colonial cities inNEW BRUNSWICK (New Jersey): May 5 -- Featuring
Mexico. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site fora variety of different Mexican foods and musical
its unique beauty, the magnificent historic center is antalents is the Cinco de Mayo Festivities in New
ideal starting point for a Cinco de Mayo tour.Jersey, supported by Mexico Americana at Joyce
While in Puebla, visitors can enjoy the historical CincoKilmer Park.
de Mayo sites such as the tomb and monument ofNEW YORK (New York): May 6 -- Organized by the
Ignacio Zaragoza, the general who led Mexico toFiestas Patria de Casa Puebla committee is the Cinco
victory over France. The site of the battle is also ade May Festival in Queens. From 10 to 6 on Sunday,
popular destination, featuring a museum with a displaythere will be a variety of musical talents, foods and
of hundreds of toy soldiers set up to show whathandicrafts at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
happened on that day. Art expositions, concerts ofOAKLAND (California): May 5 -- This traditional
both contemporary and classical Mexican music and acelebration which had over 100,000 attendees last
Mexican film series are also part of the attractions.year, the Cinco de Mayo Fruitvale Festival & Parade,
An annual parade is held down Cinco de Mayolocated in the Fruitvale district of Oakland. The family
Avenue, and festivities include a reenactment of thefestival will feature stages of entertainment, more
famous battle. Men dress as French and Mexicanthan 200 vendors, children's activities and arts and
soldiers and generals, and women wear the clothingcrafts.
of the "soldaderas," the women who cooked andPORTLAND (Oregon): May 3-6--Portland's Cinco de
looked after the soldiers in wartime. In someMayo Fiesta is a family oriented, fun-filled event
representations, the Mexican soldiers carry machetesfeaturing four entertainment stages, delightful
and old gun-power rifles, and the French soldiersactivities for children, artisans and vendors from the
carry bags with wine bottles and fruit.U.S., Canada and Mexico. Visitors can also enjoy the
Puebla has much more to offer besides its traditionalThird Annual Mariachi Festival, folkloric ballet and
Cinco de Mayo sites. Also worth a visit are thedelicious food from some of the finest restaurants in
museums displaying archeological objects, paintings,the Northwest.
railroad cars, and other historic treasures, as well asST. PAUL (Minnesota): May 4-5--Festivities include
many shops that specialize in Talavera pottery andsalsa-tasting contest, a children's area, sports zone,
traditional treats. Wander through the Los Saposcraft vendors, a parade, a history area and live music
district to buy antiques and to sample wonderfuland entertainment, featuring a variety of Hispanic
poblano dishes including mole and chiles en nogadaLatino dancers, performers and musicians.
(when in season) from a wide range of restaurants.SAN ANTONIO (Texas): May 4-6--San Antonio draws
Puebla State offers other beautiful cities to visit inabout 30,000 to its festivities with food booths at its
addition to its capital city. Cholula, located about 5historic Market Square, street dancing, handicrafts,
miles from the city of Puebla, has a very importantconcerts and other commemorations. Everyone from
archeological site that includes the "Gran Piramide"mariachis and folkloric dancers to Tejano and
(the Big Pyramid), also known as the Tenapaconjunto groups provide plenty of entertaining
Pyramid, occupying more space than any otheractivities.
pyramid in the world. Built on top of the pyramid isSAN DIEGO (California): May 5-6--Visitors will enjoy a
the church Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de losweekend of festivities including open-air
Remedios which was completed in 1666. Its symbolicentertainment featuring more than 200 performers at
position stands witness to the role of the Catholiceight venues, also more than 100 specialty booths
church in the conversion of the indigenous people.handcrafts and a Mexican feast featuring a delicious
CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATIONS IN THE UNITEDvariety of regional cuisine
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 Cincotourism promotion agency, and its participants include
de 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 andAsia and Latin America.
throughout the Mexican republic.