Your Gorge Guide to Cinco de Mayo 2023
Column
By Julie Zapien
Cinco de Mayo is a heavily observed holiday in the USA, more so than in Mexico. The holiday is strictly celebrated in the USA, and you might be surprised to know many people in the Latinx community don’t actually celebrate it at all. Many Mexican-Americans (myself included) do still tend to enjoy what the day brings, yet It is a holiday that has more meaning than just tacos and margaritas...
May 5th isn’t about having the worst hangover of your life or wearing a poncho and sombrero. Mexican culture is beautifully vibrant, lively, and rich in tradition. On May 5th you can often see some of that culture on display. You can expect to hear a mariachi or banda, indulge in a yummy torta/taco, or see a traditional dance like Jarabe Tapatio. Don’t forget to eat an Esquites, or hunt down a churro (or four.. today is not the day to diet.)
May 5th has great significance that often does not get talked about. The day is in honor of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, known as Battle of Puebla Day. General Ignacio Zaragoza led a challenging and heavily outnumbered fight against the French. Despite being significantly smaller in numbers, the Mexican army defeated the French, forcing them to retreat. To commemorate General Zaragoza and his army, the town of Puebla was named formally Puebla de Zaragoza, sometimes referred to as Puebla de Los Ángeles as well.
So how do we celebrate such a day? We participate in a way that honors Mexican people, and the lives that were lost on Mexican soil. You can still enjoy the food, culture, and music while also understanding the meaning of the holiday. We love a good party and there will be plenty of ways to honor Cinco De Mayo.
Here is your local guide to celebrating Cinco de Mayo:
EVENTS
Grab a drink
6TH STREET STATION - The Dalles, OR - CINCO DE MAYO - 11 a.m. to CLOSE https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=196062643187696&set=a.130314413095853&type=3&mibextid=qC1gEa
Have a jam packed day
PORTLAND WATERFRONT 98 SW NAITO PKWY-
CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL - MAY 5-7th - ADULT $10 / KIDS $8 https://cincodemayoportland.com/
Skate the night away
CINCO DE MAYO SKATE NIGHT - CASCADE LOCKS ELEMENTARY May 5th - 6 to 8pm $3 https://www.facebook.com/groups/HoodRiverHappenings/permalink/2827567420707176/?mibextid=W9rl1R
Catch a movie
SUNSHINE MILL DRIVE-IN MOVIE - THE DALLES, OR - ENCANTO MOVIE @9:15 p.m. - SAT MAY 6th $20 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunshine-mill-drive-up-movie-encanto-tickets-621186303957?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Get a run in
5K, 10K, HALF CINCO DE MAYO RUN - May 6th - ELKS LODGE MILWAUKIE, OR https://www.koin.com/community/calendar/?_escaped_fragment_=/show/?ser=Outlet#!/details/Cinco-de-Mayo-Run/11404739/2023-05-06T00
Eat something delicious
My favorite way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo is grabbing a bite at some of my local favorite Mexican restaurants. What better way to support our Latinx community than by supporting their businesses. Many of these businesses have been here for generations as well as their families. The Latinx community in The Gorge deserves to be celebrated everyday, not just on May 5th.
RESTAURANTS
Want to have the best meal of your life? Visit these local favorites :
CASA EL MIRADOR - THE DALLES, OR 11-9 p.m.
IXTAPA TD - THE DALLES, OR 11-9 p.m.
EL CUATE - HOOD RIVER, OR 10 a.m. -7:30 p.m.
LAKE TACO - HOOD RIVER, OR 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
IXTAPA- HOOD RIVER 11-9 p.m.
HOOD RIVER TAQUERIA 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
PIXAN - WHITE SALMON, WA 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. (Tues-Sun)
Have a wonderful Cinco De Mayo, arrange a ride if you drink, and on that note I highly recommend ordering a Cantarito with your Bartender. ¡Salud!
