Mexican Independence Day, the most important national holiday in Mexico, is celebrated on September 16th.
But up here in El Norte, May 5th is a day for margaritas, beer, tacos, mariachi music, dancing and whatever else comes with it. In a tradition which began decades ago holidays frequently are celebrated on the nearest weekend to the actual date. Such was the case Saturday in Prescott.
A good sized crowd gathered on the Courthouse Square, in part to watch these guys.
A classic mariachi band in their traditional costumes.
This was one of several young ninas in colorful costumes who danced on the plaza to the lively music.
A pretty senorita enjoyed the music from the sidelines.
There was a beer garden and a young man grilling up some taco fixings.
Ah, the finished products. Corn tortillas, carne asada, frijoles, avocados, cotija cheese. Yummy!
There was also a busy face painter.
I wonder how long that brown-eyed beauty waited before she had the paint washed off!
O.K. I know you've been waiting for this so . . . strike up the band.
Viva Mexico! Happy Cinco de Mayo!
This is a holiday invented by Corona Beer.
ReplyDeleteWell done Corona...Happy Cinco de Mayo!!
I made the mistake of booking a trip to Vegas over May 5th one year. We had to stay in a different hotel for two days before we got into the one we wanted. The town was packed,
ReplyDeleteThis year's celebration looked much better than last year's. Maybe because Prescott's sister city in Mexico helped sponser the event.
ReplyDeleteSummer in Prescott, notice the people on the court house steps are all in the shade.
The music brings back a memory of a WILD night in Mariachi Square in Mexico City!
ReplyDeleteJackie, thanks for stopping by. I think we all have memories like that!
DeleteI read somewhere, and I don't know if it's true, that Cinco de Mayo was invented by the Dos Equis beer company.
ReplyDeleteO.K. guys here's the scoop. Neither Corona nor Dos Equis invented Cinco de Mayo. Both companies are probably among the biggest promoters of the holiday in the United States now but it goes way back before them. You can find the absolute truth here: http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm
DeleteBruce you are a good man to do other's research. Can we submit questions to you (grin).
DeleteAbsolutely! (grin back)
DeleteHey, anything for a party. Personally I prefer Dos Equis
ReplyDeleteWhen I drink beer, I always drink Dos Equis.
DeleteWe had a birthday party to go to so missed the whole thing. Thanks for the pictures and the little bit of the music we missed.
ReplyDeleteI had dinner at Arriba last night with my friend David and we were given some beads and a flashing ring while Mariachis played. David actually looked up the holiday on his phone while we dined. We knew it wasn't Mexican Independence Day but we couldn't remember exactly what it was. We enjoyed the celebration nonetheless.
ReplyDelete