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Dade City's Mexican-American community is issuing an invite to everyone to join in the fun today.
By CHASE SQUIRES, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 4, 2002
DADE CITY -- Cinco will be celebrated on the quatro this year, with the community's celebration of Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo scheduled for today.
The festival celebrates the victory of a poorly equipped Mexican army over better armed and more numerous French troops on May 5, 1862. But for the city's Mexican-American community, the day is also a chance to invite the rest of Dade City to celebrate with them, said Margarita Romo of Farmworkers Self Help.
The event was moved up to today so as not to conflict with church.
"This is a community event; we want to have everyone come out with us," Romo said. "We love Dade City just as much as everyone else. This is our home, too."
Romo urged local businesses to fly white, green and red banners in honor of the Mexican holiday.
"That will show people in our community that their business is welcome there," she said.
Festivities are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. with a parade on Lock Street, starting at 21st Street and heading east to U.S. 301.
Romo refers to the street as Calle de Milagros (street of miracles) and urged others to do the same to combat a negative image Lock Street has had in the past.
After the parade, the event moves to Agnes Lamb Park, next to the Edwinola, where people plan to sell Mexican food, and offer games, a dunking booth and free refreshments for children.
From 4-9 p.m., organizers plan to offer alternating music sets, both Mexican and American. Bands Las Aguiles de Nayarat (the eagles of Mexican state Nayarat) and Zoomdaddy, which features music instructor Rob Smith, are scheduled.
There also will be a round of El Grito, which translates to "the shout of triumph." The traditional event tests participants' ability to make the loudest shout.
Romo said Cinco de Mayo is a favorite Mexican holiday filled with hope.
"The reason I love this day so much, this is about a time when a bunch of Mexicans with only hoes and shovels pushed the French back into the sea," Romo said. "Cinco de Mayo means we, the poor, can get up and do something. We do have gifts; we can get things done."
-- Chase Squires covers Dade City news and east Pasco courts. He can be reached at (352) 521-5757, ext. 27 or toll free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6108, then 27. His e-mail address is