Cinco de Mayo is quickly approaching! This holiday is a favorite cultural celebration among many Texans, and the state is usually filled with hundreds of parades, festivals and other events.
Like other holidays this spring, it will be a bit quieter this year, but celebrating at home with your family may make embracing your heritage even more meaningful.
Here are some ideas for creating an at-home Cinco de Mayo celebration, as well as a bit of the holiday’s history and a few local favorites to make plans to attend next year!
History of Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo commemorates one of Mexico\’s significant victories over France during the Franco-Mexican War. During this war, French president Napoleon III attempted to use Mexico to form a French colony within North America.
According to History.com, the Battle of Puebla was considered to be a major victory for the morale of the Mexican army. This is because it marked one of the first points that Mexico believed it could defend itself against the much stronger France.
The war ended in 1867, five years after Mexico\’s turning point at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Although, Cinco de Mayo was originally a Mexican holiday that was created to remember a specific event, celebrations are often much larger in the United States.
Mexican Americans have expanded the American version of the day into an elaborate celebration of Mexican heritage, primarily in Texas and other areas that are home to large Mexican American populations.
American Cinco de Mayo traditions as we know them today started to become common in the 1960s.
How Is Cinco de Mayo Celebrated?
Cinco de Mayo is typically celebrated with elaborate parades, parties, and community festivals that are filled with traditional Mexican food, music, and dancing.
During a normal year, Austin and other major cities throughout Texas would be filled with parades, festivals, and other events throughout the week that bring local Mexican Americans together to celebrate their heritage.
Although Cinco de Mayo will look a bit different this year, be sure to make plans to attend one of Austin\’s three biggest festivals at Metz Recreation Center, Dove Springs Recreation Center, or Turner-Roberts Recreation Center in 2021.
Ideas for Celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Home
This holiday may be a bit less elaborate this year, but there are plenty of ways to celebrate at home. Here are six simple ideas for creating an unforgettable at-home Cinco de Mayo celebration!
1. Set the Mood With Festive Decorations
Amazon is your best friend when it comes to filling your home with festive decor. From banners and tablecloths to balloons and piñatas, going all out with fun decorations can help recreate the experience of heading to a festival downtown.
2. Enjoy Your Favorite Mexican Food and Drinks
Indulging in Mexican food is one of many Texans\’ favorite parts of Cinco De Mayo.
Most local Mexican restaurants will be available for takeout and delivery so that you can enjoy your favorite traditions at home, and many will still offer holiday specials.
If you\’re feeling adventurous, try cooking your own enchiladas, chimichangas, and other savory favorites.
3. Listen to Mariachi Music on Spotify
Listening to traditional mariachi music can be just the thing to get you into a festive mood this Cinco de Mayo.
This Mexican genre consists of small ensembles of string and trumpet players that dress in traditional uniforms.
Spotify has several mariachi playlists that can be enjoyed with a free account to provide the perfect backdrop for your at-home celebration.
4. Watch Mexican Folk Dancing on YouTube
Likewise, traditional folk dances can be done at home, although they might not be quite as exciting as the elaborate performances that usually take place downtown.
YouTube is a valuable resource for bringing your celebration home. Watching folk dancing tutorials or shows can be a great way to brush up on your skills or enjoy professional-level performances.
5. Celebrate With Friends and Family on Zoom
Celebrating with many extended family members and large circles of friends is normally a favorite way to celebrate a shared heritage.
You may not be able to gather in person this year, but moving your party to a Zoom video allows you to celebrate virtually with as many people as you want.
The video chat platform Zoom works much like Skype, but it is designed to better accommodate groups.
6. Join the Fiesta Frenzy Virtual Race
Although most Cinco de Mayo 5Ks and other events will not be happening this year, there are still creative ways to get into a festive mood while staying active.
The Fiesta Frenzy virtual 5K, 10K, and 5-mile races come with an event medal and t-shirt, and races can be completed outdoors or on a treadmill at any time throughout the day.
Run by yourself or with your family before indulging in your favorite Mexican food, then make plans to attend the real race next year.
Head to Cinco de Bayou for a Belated Celebration
Cinco de Bayou, which is tentatively scheduled for June 7, combines favorites from Texas, Mexico, and Louisiana.
The event, which is currently expected to take place at Mission Hills Austin, offers a variety of traditional foods and activities to enjoy for a belated celebration.
Cinco de Mayo may not involve spending the day at your favorite festival this year, but celebrating at home can be almost as much fun.
Part of celebrating your heritage is simply spending time with your family, and enjoying a quieter celebration with your immediate family this year just might serve as a meaningful reminder of what is most important in life.
The American version of Cinco de Mayo often goes far beyond the scope of the original holiday, and considering its history can create a deeper appreciation for both the roots of the holiday and other Mexican American traditions.
Our campuses and their surrounding cities are normally filled with hundreds of cultural and other celebrations throughout the year. We are also looking forward to welcoming our students back to in-person learning and events in the future.
Now is a great time to take advantage of your time at home and start an online or hybrid training programs at Southern Careers Institute.
It\’s never to late to get a fresh start and begin a new career you love! Contact us at Southern Careers Institute today!
Sources
- https://www.britannica.com/art/mariachi
- https://open.spotify.com/artist/1nac6D57KE9ZLBJaRCw2Qr
- https://www.heritage-history.com/index.php?c=resources&s=war-dir&f=wars_francomexican
- https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cinco-de-mayo
- https://www.zoom.us/
- https://localraces.com/events/manor-tx/fiesta-frenzy-austin
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