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| USA's Top 10 Cinco de Mayo Festivals |  |
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The date itself originates from an historic battle in Puebla, Mexico in 1862, during which a well-prepared French military force was defeated by a much less equipped and half its size Mexican army. It is not, as many believe, the official independence day of the country but the David and Goliath-style success became a symbol of Mexican independence and heritage. Cinco de Mayo celebrations are more common in the United States than in Mexico and many American cities hold carnivals, street fairs and multi-day festivals during the first week of May. Hundreds of thousands gather to enjoy festive music, tantalizing food, colorful costumes and the energetic atmosphere that the Latino culture embodies. Not surprisingly, the largest celebrations are held in cities with sizable Mexican-American populations and following are 10 of the biggest, liveliest festivals in the country. ¡Vivá el Cinco de Mayo! LOS ANGELES Like the city itself, Cinco de Mayo celebrations are huge in Los Angeles. Starting at the end of April with Fiesta Broadway and continuing into the first week of May, there are festivals and events scattered around the city. Fiesta Broadway kicks off the party atmosphere when more than 500,000 visitors take to more than 20 downtown city blocks to revel in Latino-inspired entertainment and exhibits.
DENVER The Mile High City boasts a significant Hispanic population—over twenty percent—and with it comes one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the country. Since its inception in 1988, the Colorado fiesta continues to grow and the two-day, weekend-long festival now has over 450,000 attendees. Musicians, dancers and a sea of Mexican flags wind their way along Welton and Lincoln Streets in a Saturday parade, which ends at Civic Center Park where a weekend of family-friendly, carnival fun ensues. Music is always the main event and the festival is alive with mariachi melodies, Tejano-style pop songs, steaming salsa dancers and teasing tango performances. Not to be outdone, Mexico’s other cultural birthright—spicy, mouth-watering food—is also a festival favorite, including an annual green chili cook-off between local restaurants. PORLTAND
PHOENIX Arizona is well known for its Mexican influence and the Phoenix area is home to city-wide Cinco de Mayo celebrations of fun, food, music and dancing. The downtown Phoenix fiesta takes place at Patriots Square Park and features hundreds of booths, while the nearby Museo Chicano on Adams Street spotlights Mexican and Mexican-American culture, art and history. In the greater Phoenix area, Chandler’s celebrations include an annual Chihuahua race and Mesa puts on a three-day festival with dance competitions. Scottsdale also joins the revelry with a large outdoor stage and craft booths, while public recreational centers, clubs and resorts across the city are known to throw Cinco de Mayo pool parties. SAN DIEGO San Diego has been celebrating Cinco de Mayo for over 25 years and throws a popular two-day Fiesta Cinco de Mayo in the city’s Old Town. The southern California fiesta hosts a variety of events and entertainment, including reenactments of the famous 1862 battle in the Old Town San Diego Historic State Park and endless dancing and mariachis in the Old Town Square. Restaurants throughout the 22-block historic area provide all kinds of tempting food and the Centro Cultural de la Raza—a center dedicated to preserving and promoting Hispanic culture—puts on an evening of entertainment and history at Balboa Park. ST. PAUL
SAN MARCOS Food is a central part of the Vivá Cinco de Mayo celebration in San Marcos and this Texas event hosts an official state-wide menudo competition. The traditional dish is a fragrant soup made of tripe, hominy and chili, which stews for several hours with spices to become a rich, red soup that is believed to have several health benefits, among them a remedy for hangovers. Fiery soup aside, the festivities take place over a three-day period and include parade floats, Tejano music and folkloric dancing by children, as well as Miss and Little Miss Cinco de Mayo pageants. CHICAGO Anyone who’s seen the Chicago River dyed green on St. Patrick’s Day knows that Chicago goes all out for festivals and the Latino population of Chicago welcomes el Cinco de Mayo in similar fashion. The city throws a three-day fiesta including a parade on Sacramento Drive in Lawndale and mariachi music and folkloric dancing at Navy Pier. And like Mexican restaurants all over the country, Chicago’s eateries feature their own party celebrations, drinks and deals.
Like Phoenix, Kansas City hosts a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at locations across the city. Originating in 1992, the original Azteca Cinco de Mayo celebration is held at Kaw Point Park and includes traditional dancing and music. Downtown, the Crown Center also has music, dancing and a kids’ activity center, while a Mariachi Mass, children’s rides, a cultural art exhibit, concerts and Mexican cuisine are part of the Guadalupe Center’s three-day festival. RENO & SPARKS Self-proclaimed as the “Biggest Little City in the World,” the little city of Reno, Nevada plays in the big league when it comes to Cinco de Mayo. Celebrations in and around the city include a two-day fiesta at Victorian Square in neighboring Sparks. Nevada Hispanic Services organizes the free festival, complete with food, entertainment, arts and crafts, a hi-low car show, and lucha libre—a style of Mexican wrestling. Virginia City, a short distance from Reno, also hosts a Cinco de Mayo party, which includes an annual chili cook-off. If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these other great WorldWeb.com articles: • North America's Top 10 Saint Patrick's Day Parades • Mardi Gras in New Orleans PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
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