Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in Florida By Adriana Montes
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s a member of the Hispanic community, I take pride in celebrating Cinco de Mayo and I welcome you in Florida to experience a one of a kind experience this month. Cinco de Mayo is one of the most popular holiday that in large part honors the Mexican/ Hispanic culture, food, and traditions, but it is a commemorative day for a historical event. The problem I find in today’s society especially with other ethnicities trying to understand this day is that there’s often a confusion about the genesis story of Cinco de Mayo. First, it is an annual event where Americans and Mexicans alike gather in remembrance of
the events that took place over 150 years ago! Typically, during this day, many people like to go out and have fun, may be get a few drinks, lots of nachos and not forgetting tacos! But, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s independence Day. That is celebrated in September 16. What you may not know is that in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo isn’t really hyped as in the U.S where you will often find parades and reenactment but, there is some excitement during this day especially in Puebla. While you may not be Mexican or of Hispanic descent, I invite you to tag along your Mexican friends and neighbors to celebrate this day. It is a day meant to highlight the cultures and traditions from the south of the border. MAY 2022 | 29
