Cinco de Mayo : Wide Range of Festivities Scheduled for Southland

Cinco de Mayo will be observed throughout Southern California this weekend with celebrations featuring Mexican music, dance, traditional foods and discussions. Cinco de Mayo commemorates an important victory in Mexican history and is recalled with pride by Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.

On May 5, 1862, a small Mexican force overwhelmed 7,500 French troops in the town of Puebla. Although the French went on to dominate Mexico for five years, the Mexicans’ success grew to symbolize the people’s struggle against foreign domination.

The following are some of the Cinco de Mayo events being held in various communities.

MAY 4

Los Camperos Mariachis, the musicians who backed Linda Ronstadt on her “Canciones de Mi Padre” tour, will perform with the Xipetotec Aztec dance ensemble at a Cinco de Mayo celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cal State Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson. Latino art by the Mexican Folk Art Raices group also will be exhibited. Information: (213) 516-3300.

MAY 4

A folkloric dance contest, a show of Mexican fashions and winning logos and essays from a competition in English and Spanish will highlight the Santa Monica College Cinco de Mayo events beginning at 11 a.m. in the college amphitheater, 1900 Pico Blvd. (213) 452-9210.

MAY 4-5

Cinco de Mayo events at Cal State Fullerton will include mariachi music, folklorico dancers, a variety of speakers and the presentation of a play by a Latino playwright. Times are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each days. (714) 773-3846.

MAY 4, 5, 6 and 7

A talk on U.S.-Mexico relations and a round table discussion with Mexican writers are among the events planned for East Los Angeles College’s Cinco de Mayo observation. There will also be traditional food and music, a Cinco de Mayo dance and a student art exhibition, plus a daylong Spanish News Media Volleyball Tournament to close the weekend on Sunday. (213) 265-8871.

MAY 5, 6 and 7

The !Viva el Cinco! celebration at Olvera Plaza, noon to 10 p.m. each day, will include international entertainment, arts and crafts, food and drink. Willie Colon, Tierra and Freddie Fender are featured. Parking will be available at the Los Angeles Mall. (213) 856-5153.

MAY 5, 6 and 7

Carnival rides, entertainment, magic demonstrations, puppet shows and boxing and wrestling exhibitions will highlight the Cinco de Mayo festivities at Belvedere Park, noon to 8 p.m. each day, at 4914 Brooklyn Ave., East Los Angeles. (213) 268-9302.

MAY 5, 6 and 7

The music of Tigres del Norte, Ramon Ayala and Lorenzo Monteclaro will be featured along with a 20-ride carnival at Orange County’s largest Latino festival, the Cinco de Mayo weekend celebration beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at Centennial Regional Park, 1800 S. Fairview, Santa Ana. (714) 541-2895.

MAY 7

Performers Sheila E., Tierra, Malo, Los Cruzados and Was Not Was are scheduled for the Lincoln Park Cinco de Mayo celebration, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 3501 Valley Blvd., Los Angeles. Community-based nonprofit groups will operate food, drink and game booths, and there will be carnival rides for children. (213) 485-9142.

MAY 7

Live musical entertainment, folklorico groups, an arts and crafts fair, and assorted food booths will all be part of the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Virginia Park, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 2200 Virginia Ave., Santa Monica. (213) 451-9982.