Cinco de Mayo celebrated with food and music

Cinco de Mayo is just the fifth of May, another day to work and toil away the hours for some people. For others, it is a celebration of the heroic actions of Mexican villagers more than a century ago. 

On May 5, 1862, Mexico gained its independence after defeating Napoleon's French army in the Puebla de Los Angeles. The Puebla citizens, with the aid of 2000 soldiers from the Mexican army, drove the French from their land with hand made weapons. 

Cinco de Mayo is the largest Mexican celebration in the United States, and the third largest in Mexico after Independence Day on Sept. 16 and Revolution Day on Nov. 20. 

In honor of this festive day, the Union Programming Council is hosting a celebration today on the University Student Union's West Patio from noon to 1 p.m. Festivities include mariachi bands, folklore dancing and food booths. For more information one may call the programming council at (562) 985-5342. 

The La Raza Student Association is also hosting its own celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of The Nugget. Festivities include Enobiles, a Spanish rock band, a chili-eating contest and other competitions. 

La Raza officer Eddie Monterrubio said he had no idea the programming council was also going to have a Cinco de Mayo celebration. "I was unaware they had one," he said. 

For many celebrants, Cinco de Mayo is another day to party in parks, bars and backyard picnics. Several bars and restaurants throughout Long Beach are promoting a Cinco de Mayo theme with Mexican drink, food and music. 

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant located at 6270 East Pacific Coast Highway will be offering $2 margaritas, half-price appetizers, drink specials and souvenir cups. 

Tequila Jack's, 407 Shoreline Village Drive, will have a disc jockey, with dancing starting at 6 p.m. 

The Museum of Latin American Art at 628 Alamitos Ave. is hosting a buffet from 6 to 10 p.m. Festivities include mariachi bands, Tone Smugglers and Campesino as well as dance performances from the South Bay Latin Dance Ensemble. A ballet, Folaklorico Paso de Oro, will also be performed.