Cinco de Mayo celebrations descend on the Imperial Valley this weekend as residents celebrate Mexico’s Battle of Puebla.
The free Rondalla del Valle concert Saturday evening offered by the Consulate of Mexico in Calexico, and El Centro is expected to attract around 700 people.
It’s the 150th anniversary of the 1862 battle where Mexico’s Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza forced powerful French forces back from the city of Puebla.
The heroic event is considered a national triumph and a memorable date for assertion of Mexican identity.
Luis Delgado of the Consulate of Mexico in Calexico said there’s a lot of confusion about the holiday in the United States and that it’s often misunderstood as being Mexico’s independence day, which is in September.
The Calexico Desert Sun Girls’ Softball League hosts its second annual Cinco de Mayo-Mother’s Day dinner/dance Saturday to raise funds for the nonprofit youth sports league.
League President Jose “Chuy” Iniguez said it’s a chance for people to have fun while supporting a good cause.
Tickets are $20 for the steak dinner and dance at the Calexico Community Center. Call 760-427-5879 or 760-235-6139 for tickets beforehand or pay at the door.
Brawley’s Hidalgo Society also will host a Cinco de Mayo festival Saturday featuring a car show, women’s softball tournament, a horseshoe tournament, amateur boxing, mariachi music, a parade and queen coronation. All events will be at Hinojosa Park.
The Niland Chamber of Commerce celebrates with a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on Saturday night with a dinner and dance. Barbecue plates are offered at $6 a person while the dance following is $3 for singles and $5 for couples.
Call Marta Mata at 760-791-1174 for information on the Niland celebration.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
If you go
What Consulate of Mexico concert
When reception at 6 p.m.; concert at 7 p.m. Saturday
Where Jimmie Cannon Theater for the Performing Arts at Southwest High School in El Centro
What Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
When dinner, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; dance 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday
Where Niland Chamber of Commerce building, 8031 Highway 111 in Niland
What Hildago Society’s Cinco de Mayo Festival
When all day Saturday, parade and queen coronation at 5 p.m., Mariachi Calafia at 6 p.m.
Where Hinojosa Park in Brawley
What Cinco de Mayo fundraiser/dance
When 6:30 p.m. doors open until 1 a.m.
Where Calexico Community Center
To comment on this story click here to be directed to Facebook.
