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Fiesta por todos
10:40 AM CDT on Thursday, May 1, 2008
Hot on the heels of the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, Cinco de Mayo fills the park with sights and sounds of Mexican heritage, not to mention the scent of Mexican and Tex-Mex food.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when Mexican troops defeated the French. (Yes, Frenchy’s Lawn and Tree Service has paid tribute to the big day in the past by dispatching one of its day-glow orange vans to the parade — and lots of hard candy. Maybe we’ll see one this year.)
The event isn’t a major celebration in Mexico — that would be Sept. 16, Mexican Independence Day, celebrating independence from the Spanish.
In the U.S., Mexican-Americans have adopted the day to celebrate their heritage with festivals heavy on music, dance and food.
Mexico earned its independence in 1810, and the Mexican Civil War of 1852 had all but leveled the country’s economy. The country was in heavy debt to England, Spain and France, and emissaries were demanding repayment.
France’s Napoleon installed Archduke Maximilian of Austria as the ruler after Mexico stopped making loan payments to France. Scholars say President Abraham Lincoln was sympathetic to the Mexicans, but was embroiled in conflict between the Southern and Northern states.
French troops set out to occupy Mexico. The Battle of Puebla didn’t decide the fate of the country, but it signified hope for the small country because a poor militia of 4,500 defeated 6,500 well-outfitted French soldiers.
Julia LoSoya, publicity chairwoman for the event, said the music will include everything from mariachi music and folk tunes of Mexico to more Western music that has Spanish roots.
There will be activities for the whole family, too.
“We’ll have piñatas, games and prizes, bounce house and face painting for the kids,” LoSoya said. “There will also be city of Denton library activities and balloons by a magician. We’ll also have arts and crafts. Here in Denton, we have one of the biggest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in North Texas. It’s for the whole family and is open to the whole community.”
More than 12,000 people attended Cinco de Mayo last year, and officials said they expect more in the park this weekend.
The event begins with a morning parade. Charros, Mexican cowboys, ride along with local lowrider clubs, contestants in the Cinco de Mayo Pageant, school groups and others. Parents, take note: Bring a sack for your tots, because a lot of candy is thrown during the parade.
A modest hit from the ATM can get festivalgoers a host of authentic Tex-Mex dishes. In years past, drifting toward the playground at Oakland and Sawyer streets has meant a hotspot of fajitas, tacos and the like. Sliced fruit is usually available, and if you’re lucky, you can catch a worker wheeling a Mexican ice cream cart through the park. The piña colada paleta (a flavored ice pop) is just what the doctor ordered if the temperature climbs.
As of Wednesday, the National Weather Service was predicting sunny skies and a high of 72 degrees. Forecasts warn that those who stay for the big dance at the Civic Center should bring a sweater, as temperatures are expected to dip to about 48 Saturday night.
Cinco de Mayo has always had an outreach to Latino youth in Denton, both through the parade and the Cinco de Mayo Pageant, which crowns La Reina.
Liliana Wright, the pageant coordinator, said this year’s pageant is open to girls in grades 7 through 12. They are judged in a number of categories. Their grade point average accounts for 40 percent of their score. The rest of their score is divided between an essay, a private interview with judges, community service and extracurricular activities, evening gown and talent contests, and fundraising for the festival.
“It’s heavily based on their GPA because the winner receives a $4,000 scholarship,” Wright said. “I think it’s more a promotion of the girls. I got to read the essays and what I’m gathering is that this is a challenge to themselves and this is something that a lot of them wouldn’t have done. And it helps them to appreciate their culture. It’s not a beauty pageant.”
The parade starts from the Texas Woman’s University campus and then moves through the downtown Square. The parade leads revelers to Quakertown Park, where the festivities begins.
LUCINDA BREEDING can be reached at 940-566-6877. Her e-mail address is cbreeding@dentonrc.com.
What: festival, including a parade and activities for the whole family
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: The parade will run through the downtown Denton Square, and the festival takes place at Quakertown Park, 321 E. McKinney St. The evening dance is at the Denton Civic Center, also at 321 E. McKinney St.
Details: Admission to the festival is free. Concessions will be for sale. Parking will be available near Emily Fowler Central Library but spaces are limited. Admission to the dance is $15 per person, and $5 for children 10 and younger.
SCHEDULE
Main stage
11:30 a.m. — Welcome, proclamation by Perry McNeill, keynote address by consul general of Mexico, and announcement of parade awards
Noon — Mariachis
1:30 p.m. — Adriano Lozano
3 p.m. — Grupo Magleo
Fiesta Stage
11:30 a.m. — Newton Rayzor Elementary School performers
Noon — Los Originales de Denton
12:30 p.m. — Jenny
1 p.m. — Woodrow Wilson Elementary School performers
1:30 p.m. — La Reina talent show
2:30 p.m. — Fantasia Musical
3:30 p.m. — Carril de N.L.
4:45 p.m. — Callejeres
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