Cinco de Mayo Gets Many Days
Last year’s riots in Los Angeles put a damper on observances of Cinco de Mayo. Even some of Orange County’s biggest festivals were canceled or postponed.
This year, with calm reigning, no problems are expected. Still, fewer festivities are on tap than in years past. Don’t expect anything at Centennial Park in Santa Ana (promoters were unable to provide enough security for the city’s liking) or at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley.
But celebrations are set in several cities this weekend (for information on the Santa Ana Mariachi Festival, see Page 7) and at colleges and universities next week (the actual holiday--May 5--is Wednesday, marking the defeat in Puebla in 1862 of the French by outnumbered Mexican soldiers).
An entertainment highlight: The satiric sketch comedy group Chicano Secret Service will perform Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Cal State Fullerton’s Mackey Auditorium. The suggested donation is $6. Information: (714) 738-0232.
A four-day Cinco de Mayo celebration starts today at La Palma Park in Anaheim with a carnival, food booths and other attractions. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. today and 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. There will be entertainment Saturday and Sunday; soccer games Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; a car show Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and a bilingual Mass on Sunday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Admission and parking are free; there will be a charge for carnival rides and games. The park is at the corner of La Palma Avenue and Harbor Boulevard. Information: (714) 254-5191.
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the tennis courts below the San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, there will be entertainment, food booths and games. Admission: free. Information: (714) 493-5911.
In San Clemente on Saturday, a festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the city’s community center, 100 N. Calle Seville, will feature entertainment, food booths, a car show and a beer garden. Admission: free. A dinner and dance will follow from 5 to 11 p.m. ($10 per person, $15 per couple. The cost for just the dance: $5 per person). Information: (714) 361-8264.
Cal State Fullerton will present poetry readings, mariachi music, a car show and food sales in the campus quad Monday through May 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m daily. Evening events, in addition to the aforementioned Chicano Secret Service show, will include another comedy show Tuesday night at 7 in the Mackey Auditorium and a poetry reading May 6 at 7 p.m., also in the Mackey. The public is invited to all events; admission except to the Chicano Secret Service show will be free. Information: (714) 738-0232.
UC Irvine also will host events Monday through May 6, at various locations on campus, some to be announced. Monday’s events, in tribute to farm labor organizer Cesar Chavez who died last week, will include a film and discussion at the Cross-Cultural Center at 5 p.m. and another film at 7 p.m. in the Crystal Cove Auditorium. Other events throughout the week will include lectures and entertainment, including an Aztec dance performance May 6 at 11:30 a.m. in the student center on Ring Road. Information: (714) 856-7215.
