Cinco de Mayo commemorates a battle between Mexico and France on the morning of May 5, 1862 at Puebla, Mexico. Located 100 miles east of Mexico City, the city of Puebla witnessed a victory for the Mexican troops under the command of General Zaragosa. One hundred and forty-six years later, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated as a festival of Mexican culture, art and music across the U.S.
1. "Celebrate Culture" at Cinco de Mayo Festival
Celebrating its 21st anniversary, Denver's Cinco de Mayo festival unites traditional Mexican food, artwork, crafts and music downtown in Civic Center Park. Sample fresh tamales, or simply be serenaded by Mariachi bands strolling around the park. The festival is sponsored by NEWSED (New West Side Economic Development.)
Date: Saturday, May 3 - Sunday, May 4, 2008
Location: Civic Center Park, Denver
Time: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. both days
Cost: Free admission.
Contact: 303-534-8342 ext. 100
2. Visit the Museo de Las Americas
The Museo de Las Americas, founded in 1991 in the Santa Fe art district, exhibits art from across Latin America. Exhibitions range from Aztec artifacts to work from modern artists exploring Latino themes. The museum also features bilingual workshops on such artists as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo for schoolchildren.
Date: Open Tuesdays - Sundays (Closed Mondays)
Location: 861 Santa Fe Drive, Denver
Time: Museum hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekdays and 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. on weekends.
Cost: Tickets are $10.
Contact: 303-571-4401
3. La Alma's Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Make sure the niņos do not feel left out at Cinco de Mayo. The city's La Alma recreation center will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration for children ages 4 and up. Admission is free and open to the community.
Date: Monday, May 5, 2008
Location: La Alma Recreation Center, 1325 W. 11th Ave., Denver
Time: 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Cost: Free admission.
Contact: 303-572-4790
4. Cheer on the Rockies
Cheer on the Colorado Rockies this Cinco de Mayo weekend. Several Colorado Rockies players hail from Latin and South America, including Ubaldo Jimenez (Dominican Republic), Manny Corpas (Panama) and Yorvit Torrealba (Venezuela). The Rockies roster also features Mexican-American ballplayers such as pitcher Brian Fuentes and infielder Omar Quintanilla. The Rockies play the L.A. Dodgers in a three-game series from May 2 - 4, 2008.
Date: Friday, May 2 - Sunday, May 4
Location: Coors Field
Time: 7:05 p.m, 6:05 p.m.,
Cost: Tickets are $4 - $52.
Contact: 303-ROCKIES
5. Drink a Few (but Maybe not Five) Margaritas
Cinco de Mayo without margaritas is like a tequila shot without salt. Savor the city's best margaritas at one of these five (yes, count 'em, five) Mexican restaurants in Denver.
- Rio Grande at 1525 Blake St. pours the city's strongest margaritas.
- El Noa Noa at 722 Santa Fe Dr. features an outdoor patio in the Santa Fe art district, as well as generous pitchers of margaritas.
- Mezcal at 3230 E. Colfax Ave. offers a selection of top-shelf tequilas for the discriminating margarita drinker.
- Blue Bonnet at 475 S. Broadway has a casual air but serious margaritas.
- You can't miss with Benny's margaritas at 301 E. 7th Ave.
