Mexico Rises Again : Cinco de Mayo Festivities Highlight History, Culture

Dressed in traditional costumes of vibrant color, the folklorico dancers swirled around the stage to a lively waltz. Silk ribbons were in their hair. Intricately stitched flowers adorned their skirts. And the audience cheered at the Santa Ana Mariachi Festival on Saturday.

“We’re passing our culture and tradition to the young ones,” said Grace Cabunoc of Santa Ana. The dancing “allows us the opportunity to experience our culture and roots. It’s so enriching to be able to share that culture.”

Thousands came to share that heritage and to participate in several events held in Orange County this weekend to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The holiday, widely celebrated with food, music and dancing, commemorates May 5, 1862, the day when a small group of Mexican soldiers routed 7,500 French troops in the town of Puebla.

In Santa Ana, more than 9,000 visitors packed the city zoo to hear mariachi music, sample Mexican food and watch dozens of folklorico dancers perform.

In Anaheim, police said more than 6,000 people filled La Palma Park for the Cinco de Mayo Festival, which included soccer games and carnival rides. Organizers of that event, however, estimated that about 100,000 people will attend the four-day festival, which ends today.

“Our goal is to communicate with the surrounding communities,” said Joel Guerena, an organizer of the Anaheim event. “Everyone comes here to have fun--not only Mexicans, but everyone.”

The Anaheim festival was started 22 years ago by a group of local families. An official committee eventually was developed to help organize the festivities.

For many Latinos, Cinco de Mayo is more than just a celebration of a historic battle. It is a time to unite with friends and family to remember their cultural heritage.

“I want to show and express what I am and to show my culture and background,” said Mac Alaniz, 17, who danced in a style from northern Mexico with his dance troupe, Grupo Renaciamento.

While various local and international bands entertained at the festivals, homemade food such as tamales, tacos and carnitas were served at several dozen booths. One booth offered freshly made adobadas , a dish of tortillas topped with shredded meat, avocado, onions and chili sauce. Other stands served aguas frescas , or fruit juices such as watermelon, lemon and cantaloupe.

“It’s a happy community event,” said Maudette Ball of Newport Beach, who dined on tamales. “I love ethnic street fairs because of the music, the food and the people. I think it’s important to really experience other cultures.”

Visitors to the Santa Ana Mariachi Festival heard rollicking songs, marches, waltzes and romantic boleros. Mariachi music, which can mean an entire group or a lone musician, developed from the small string ensembles that accompanied theatrical performances in the state of Jalisco in the mid-19th Century.

Jose Cervantes of Santa Ana, who brought his four children to the Santa Ana event, said: “They liked everything--the music, games, just everything.”

At dozens of booths, decorated with the colors of the Mexican flag--red, white and green--visitors played games for prizes such as note pads, baby food and bags of rice.

“I came to celebrate and remember our heritage, being proud of who we are,” said Juan Casas of Anaheim. “I also came for the carnival and the Mexican music.”

Many festival-goers in Anaheim played carnival games and rode Ferris wheels and carousels. Bands played contemporary music on the center stage, while local soccer teams competed in the Cinco de Mayo Tournament.

Hosts of the Anaheim festival said they expect a large crowd for today’s event because of a soccer game between a San Diego team and a team of retired professional players from Mexico.

In the middle of all the Cinco de Mayo activity, however, thoughts of the historic battle in 1862 remained with Ramon Villarreal of Tustin.

After the fight, the French conquered Mexico and dominated the nation for five years, but the Mexicans’ surprising victory symbolized the determination to fight against foreign intervention.

“It shows that we can overcome different barriers and different odds,” Villarreal said. “I’m teaching my son the history of Puebla. The spirit of never giving up, like the Mexican forces in Puebla. That’s the way I look at it.”