Cinco de Mayo: Lost in Translation? : Celebration: Latino leaders fear that the historical significance of the day is sometimes lost amid all the hoopla.

This weekend, thousands of Orange County residents will gather in parks, restaurants and back yards to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican holiday most familiar to Americans.

But local Latino leaders say that the occasion has a different flavor in the United States than in Mexico, where Cinco de Mayo is a minor event compared to Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16. And they worry that the historical meaning of the occasion is sometimes lost amid margarita specials and mariachi music.

Cinco de Mayo marks the May 5, 1862, victory of the Mexicans over the French at Acutzingo Peak in Puebla, Mexico. At that battle, the Mexicans prevailed despite the fact that the French outnumbered them by about 4,000 men, said Jose M. Espinosa, an instructor of Mexican-American history at Rancho Santiago College.

“In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is merely a pause to reflect a significant battle against French forces,” said Amin David, president of Los Amigos of Orange County. “You cannot compare the event there to Sept. 16.”

Irene Martinez, program coordinator of the Neighborhood Service Center in Santa Ana, agrees.

“In Mexico, they wonder why we celebrate so much here,” said Martinez, who has relatives in Mexico. “In their country, it is Independence Day that is such a tremendous celebration. Personally, Cinco de Mayo doesn’t mean a great deal to me.”

But Martinez added that she believes it is important for the large Latino population in Southern California and other areas of the country to have the chance to celebrate their heritage.

“The Latino population here is very diverse,” Martinez said. “You have new immigrants and second- and third-generation Latinos, and it provides them with the chance to come together as a community and celebrate.”

Rudy M. Castruita, superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District, views the day as an occasion for Latinos to “bask in the sunlight.”

“I think Cinco de Mayo is a day for the Mexican people to really show pride in their culture and in their community,” Castruita said. “Even though it has expanded into a day for celebration for everyone, for the Mexican people, it’s the chance to really raise their heads high and celebrate the battle they won against the French even though they were outnumbered.”

However, Latino leaders said they would like to see more of an effort to educate people about the historic importance of the day.

“I think it has just turned into a day for us to get together and celebrate something that’s a part of our history, but I don’t think people know what that history was,” said Tina Fernandez, a member of the Orange County Human Relations Commission. “A lot of people who play upon the commercial value really haven’t taken the time to provide education for what the holiday is all about. I also hear many schools say they will be celebrating, and I ask them if they will be explaining to the children the meaning of the holiday.”

Fernandez said that despite her distaste for much of the commercialization of Cinco de Mayo, she sees the day as an opportunity to expose her young children to their heritage.

“I figure if there is an opportunity for my children to be exposed, I’ll take advantage of it,” she said. “I want them to hear the music, to taste the food and to see the dance.”

David said Los Amigos, a community advocacy group, does try to provide education at its annual fiesta at La Palma Park in Anaheim, which drew 100,000 people last year.

“We take it very seriously, and we provide information about the purpose,” David said. “We present it in a way that stresses where good overcame evil.”

Father Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Orange welcomes the chance to celebrate his Mexican culture but said the occasion should also be a time to remember countries like El Salvador, whose fight for freedom is still ongoing.

“I think it is important to, in the midst of all the celebration, remember the values of freedom and the struggles of independence,” Soto said. “The struggles we remember on Cinco de Mayo continue in many countries who share our Latino heritage.”

CINCO DE MAYO EVENTS IN ORANGE COUNTY

ANAHEIM:

19th annual fiesta.

Address: La Palma Park, at Harbor Boulevard and La Palma Avenue.

Days: Today and Sunday.

Hours: Today: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Admission: Free.

SAN CLEMENTE:

Fiesta and dinner-dance.

Address: San Clemente Community Center: 100 N. Calle Seville.

Day: Today.

Hours: Festival 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dinner and dancing 5-9 p.m.

Admission: Festival free; dinner-dance $12.

Information: (714) 361-8264.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO:

Fiesta.

Address: 31495 El Camino Real.

Day: Today.

Hours: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Admission: Free.

Information: (714) 493-1752.

SANTA ANA: DOWNTOWN

Carnival.

Address: On 4th Street, between French and Ross streets.

Days: Today and Sunday.

Hours: Today: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Admission: Free.

Information: (714) 549-1727.

Mariachi Festival 1990.

Address: Fiesta Marketplace, 204 4th St.

Days: Today and Sunday.

Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Admission: Free.

Information: (714) 550-0910.

SANTA ANA: CENTENNIAL REGIONAL PARK.

Fiesta.

Address: 1800 S. Fairview Road.

Days: Today and Sunday.

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Admission: $2.

Information: (714) 647-6556.

UC IRVINE:

Various events.

Address: University Drive, Irvine.

Day: Today.

Hours: Daytime and evening events, times vary. Call for exact time and location.

Admission: Some events cost $2.

Information: (714) 856-7215.