Why do so many people celebrate Cinco de Mayo with food and dance? Cinco de Mayo is not the Mexican Independence Day that many American's think it is, but actually a symbol of Mexican patriotism in celebration over the Mexican Army's defeat of the French forces in 1862.
Lively Cinco de Mayo parties will erupt at restaurants, bars and in homes across the U.S. Southwest on May 5th. Why not join the celebration by hosting a Fiesta in your area? All that’s needed are platters of spicy food, a pitcher of Margaritas or Sangria, energetic music, colorful decor and some fun friends!
Cinco de Mayo Party Decor
In decorating for a South of the Border, Cinco de Mayo party, the most important thing is to use color! There is nothing mild about the Mexican culture, and many homes and businesses in Mexico are filled with vibrant turquoise, fuchsia, yellow, red, purple and lime green shades! By scattering these colors throughout the party, it will become fiesta-ready. Also, Mexican Fiesta decor includes glitz and bling, such as silver, rhinestones, and mirrors; so in shopping for table centerpieces or serving dishes, the gaudier, the better!
- Buy paper plates, napkins and cups using a combination of the Mexican Fiesta color rainbow. Check out the dollar stores or other discount marts to shop for your paper needs, mixing up the colors.
- Use Mexican Blankets as tablecloths, or use a raffia ribbon to gather the blanket center together to create a large wall hanging. In Arizona, these blankets can be purchased for $5.00 each at flea markets.
- Hang Sombreros on walls, and use them during the party for a Cinco de Mayo Mexican Hat Dance.
- Buy piñatas to hang from patio covers and gazebos or as a centerpiece for tables. The piñata can be filled with candies for an end of the night Cinco de Mayo event!
- Use chunky, vibrant candle holders or glass votives to burn colorful candles.
- Drape white lights around the party area for Cinco de Mayo ambiance!
- Fill large clay pots and baskets with paper flowers in brilliant hues, which can be homemade. (Check out lacasamexicana.us for flower making instructions.)
Cinco de Mayo Party Music
During the party, play Latin-inspired artists such as: Santana (Oye Como Va), The Champs (Tequila), Gloria Estefan, Puchi Colon and of course the hot Latin lover guys, Ricky Martin and Dominic Martenic . You also have American artists who sing about Mexico like Jimmy Buffet and Kenny Chesney. To find a good list of song choices go to nuTsie.com’s Cinco de Mayo Playlist for more inspiration. Also, there are great CD's to create Mexican ambiance on Lifescapesmusic.com. Put on some Mexican fiesta mood music as you prepare the party food!
Cinco de Mayo Party Food and Drinks
A Cinco de Mayo Party would be nothing without great Mexican Food. Serve a variety of mild to spicy entrees in Talavera bowls or cheaper South of the Border look-alikes.
Cinco de Mayo Mexican appetizers can include tortilla chips served with a variety of mexican dips, salsa, chili con queso or guacamole, jalapeno poppers, Tex Mex or seven-layer dip or mexican pizza.
A buffett works great for serving food at a Cinco de Mayo party. In Arizona, Mexican food restaurants cater their standard entrees such as enchiladas, tacos, burritos, chili rellenos, tamales and fajitas. Salsa and many dishes can be homemade as well. Try serving tortilla soup with a tamale pie casserole and taco salad.
Have plenty of shredded cheese and lettuce (or cabbage) ready, as well as chopped tomatoes, jalapeños and lime wedges for side garnishes. A dollop of sour cream will cool the spicy dishes down a bit for the gringos at the party.
Assuming the party-goers are drinking age, ice up a selection of Mexican beers, mix up a pitcher of Sangria and once they walk in the door start up the blender filled with Margarita mix. In no time at all, the party will become a fiesta, and a South of the Border mood will take over!
So, if you've got friends, can decorate with color, cook up some spicy food and run a blender, you can throw a Cinco de Mayo party! Dress in your best Fiesta outfit and then get ready to kick up your heels and say "Ole!"
Note: If you have too many Margaritas on Cinco de Mayo, be sure to call AAA's Tipsy Tow.
Jan Peterson - I'm a retired banker, published songwriter, cyber journalist, and member of the advisory board for the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall ...
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