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Cinco de Mayo comes early
A celebration of Mexican culture will fill Main Street on Friday when Yuma hosts its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration.
The event, sponsored by the Cultural Council of Yuma, has become an annual favorite and organizers are already predicting big crowds for the 2009 event.
"This event gives the Hispanic community a chance to celebrate how proud they are of their Mexican culture," said Virginia Reyes, Cultural Council director, "plus they get to see how the Anglo-Americans who attend appreciate the Mexican culture through its music, dance and food. This event is just a fantastic cultural celebration."
Cinco de Mayo, which means May 5 in Spanish, commemorates an important battle in Mexican history. The holiday is not Mexican independence, which is celebrated on Sept. 16. Reyes laughed when she explained that, ironically, Cinco de Mayo isn't really observed in Mexico, as it is in United States, where it has become increasingly popular with mainstream society.
"In Mexico Cinco de Mayo is just the fifth of May," she said, smiling. "Anglos in America love Cinco de Mayo."
Yuma's Cinco de Mayo celebration has activities running from 5 to 11 p.m. Admission is free.
"We are having a Mexican fiesta right here in Yuma!" Reyes said. "It is always wonderful to see all the happy faces and the festive ambience."
Performances slated for that evening include groups like Groupo Folklorico Missael, Gadsden Elementary District Marching Band, Yuma Ballet Theatre and Las Chicas del El Desierto. Individual performers will include Selena Barrera, Adriana Zamora and a disc jockey from Machado Productions.
"People will be dancing in the street," Reyes said. "It is always so great to see people forget about their problems and dance."
Numerous food vendors will also be on hand to sell various Mexican treats.
"Everyone is invited to come and enjoy themselves," Reyes said. "We are looking forward to everyone having a very good time."
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Darin Fenger can be reached at
dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.
