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Cinco de Mayo commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla, during which outnumbered Mexican forces defeated the French Army, setting the stage for Mexico’s eventual triumph over France.

The stage was set when England, Spain and France sailed fleets to Mexico with hopes of forcing the nation to pay its foreign debts. The British and Spanish fleets returned home once a preliminary agreement was made to pay off the debt. France, however, remained in Mexico, rejected the agreement, and began a war. On May 5th, 6,500 French troops marched to the town of Puebla on the way to Mexico City. They expected little or no resistance, but found Puebla garrisoned and fortified by 4,500 Mexican soldiers who routed the French forces.

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Cinco de Mayo is mostly celebrated in the Puebla region of Mexico and the southwestern states of the US, where it’s become a way for Latinos to celebrate their Mexican roots and share their heritage with their neighbors. Here’s a look at some of the best places to visit on Cinco de Mayo:

Puebla, Mexico reenacts the events of that fateful day with a battle in the plaza. The day kicks off with a parade led by Mexican troops in tanks and Humvees, followed by civilian of all ages and floats congratulating Puebla. Townspeople dress as Mexican soldiers brandishing swords and French soldiers. Throughout the day, games, food stalls, strolling mariachi bands and bullfights add to the excitement, which culminates in a big fireworks display.

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Denver holds the country’s biggest Cinco de Mayo festival on May 3-4 at the Denver Civic Center Park. Arts and crafts, strolling Mariachi bands, Aztec dancers and several stages featuring traditional and contemporary Latino entertainment will be on hand in addition to food. New to the festival this year is the Green Chile Cook-Off, which will feature Denver’s best restaurants entering their best bowl of Green Chili. The party begins with the annual Celebrate Culture parade at 10 a.m. Saturday at 12th and Welton streets. Dozens of dancers and musicians wind their way to 17th Street before hitting Lincoln and ending at Civic Center.

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San Marco, Texas celebrates the holiday with a state-wide Menudo Cook Off. Menudo is an aromatic soup made of tripe, hominy and chili, that’s a staple of northern Mexico. It’s usually eaten after a night out on the town and widely proclaimed to be an antidote for hangovers. A parade, two beauty pageants and folk dancing are also part of San Marco’s celebration as is three nights of of mariachi and tejano music.

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Austin, Texas celebrates the holiday by turning the city’s streets, restaurants and nightclubs into one big fiesta. A three-day music festival attracts thousands to Fiesta Gardens where food, arts & crafts, a carnival and contests are part of the fun. How many jalapeños can you eat? Enter the Jalapeño Eating Contest and find out. The Ballet East Dance Theatre on the Pan-American Hillside Stage also hosts a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

San Antonio holds its annual celebration May 2-5 at Historic Market Square.

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San Diego’s Fiesta Cinco de Mayo will be held May 3-4 in Old Town. The event features music, food, handcrafts and Southern California’s only reenactment of the 1862 Battle of Puebla. The activities kick off on Saturday with a traditional Mercado for shoppers and diners, live music and entertainment performed at eight different venues throughout the event.

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Phoenix starts celebrating the holiday at the end of April. In addition to carnivals, festivals and entertainment, most of the city’s restaurants and bars have something special planned. Here are some of the events on hand:

• Chandler, Arizona holds the Cinco de Mayo Celebration & Chihuahua Races on Saturday, May 3. There will be music and entertainment on two stages as well as food. The races run from 6 to 7 pm and are followed by the crowning of the King and Queen Chihuahua.
• A two day Cinco de Mayo Festiva on May 3-4l hosted by La Campesina Radiowill feature food, games, entertainment, and performances by Latino musicians.

Los Angeles also offers a number of ways to commemorate Cinco de Mayo:

• El Pueblo Historic Monument is the site for a three-day festival starting May 2. The event will feature popular and traditional music, dance, food and live entertainment in addition to free educational and cultural workshops for children. Entertainment will include traditional folk music and dance, piñata breaking, and a display of traditional Mexican dresses.
• Check out this article if you’re looking for less traditional venues to celebrate the holiday. Club Zone provides a list of nightclubs honoring Cinco de Mayo.
• Descanso Gardens will host Ballet Folklórico Azatlán on Saturday, May 4 1 to 1:30 pm.
• Or tour the city’s Tequila bars.

Reno’s party begins with a huge parade that each year sees the streets throng with about 100,000 visitors from across the state. Featuring live music, dancing, cultural performances, historic exhibitions and other entertainment, the event is a great spectacle that bristles with energy and excitement.

Portland, Oregon holds an annual festival for the occasion that falls this year on May 2-5. The event features daily performances by Ballet Folklorico and Mariachis. A Guadalajara Pavilion will showcase artisans from Guadalajara, Mexico, Portland’s sister city. Fireworks will kick-start the Fiesta, Friday night at 9:45 pm. Local restaurants will provide the food.

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The Maru Montero Dance Company will hosts its 16th annual Fiesta in Washington, DC at noon on Sunday, May 4at the Washington Monument. The free festival offers Latin dance, music, food and workshops for children.

Oakland, California starts celebrating with a parade on Sunday, May 4 at 10 am. The festival will feature three stages with entertainment, 200 vendors of food and crafts and children’s activities.

Chicago will hold a festival May 2-4 in Douglas Park. The festival will feature live music, food vendors and a wide assortment of carnival rides and games. The Cinco de Mayo Parade, will be held on May 4.

Tags: Cinco De Mayo | holiday | Mexico | North America | Puebla | United States

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