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Today is a holiday of pride for Mexico

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the day in 1862 when Mexico defeated the mighty French military.

By VANESSA DE LA TORRE
Published May 5, 2006

For some folks, Cinco de Mayo means Corona beer, live music and steak tacos. Not that there is anything wrong with that, says Javier Avila, owner of Casa Tina Mexican Grill in Dunedin.

The day is often viewed as an "another excuse to throw a party," Avila said, "but it's a big celebration for us."

This year, the biggest celebration in North Pinellas will be Sunday at Coachman Park in Clearwater, where organizers expect 12,000 people to turn out for the banda music, ballet folklorico, dishes from seven local Mexican restaurants and nighttime fireworks.

Two smaller events will be held today in Safety Harbor and Dunedin, where Avila's restaurant is hosting a Main Street party starting at noon.

Avila, originally from Guadalajara, says some Americans tend to misinterpret Cinco de Mayo as Mexico's Independence Day - that falls on Sept. 16 - and that the holiday is celebrated more in the United States as a commercialized event, often involving beer sponsors.

South of the border, Cinco de Mayo is a day of pride: Renowned French military forces invaded Mexico in 1862 and were marching toward Mexico City, aiming to install Archduke Maximilian of Austria as the new ruler, when they met General Ignacio Zaragoza and his troops at the Battle of Puebla.

The Mexicans were ill equipped and greatly outnumbered; the French were the conquerors of the era under Emperor Napoleon III.

Despite the David and Goliath matchup, the Mexicans defeated the French forces after two hours of intense fighting on May 5, 1862, a battle thereafter known as a symbol of national bravery.

To honor that victory this weekend, check out:

--The Dunedin celebration, which will close a section of the street at Main and Douglas Avenue and feature food, drinks and the Latin trio Grupo Caribe playing until 5 p.m. Then there will be free merengue and salsa lessons for two hours, followed by a four-hour performance from the 12-piece band Orquesta Infinidad, Avila said. The event, in its 15th year, ends at 11 p.m.

--Safety Harbor's first Cinco de Mayo celebration from 6 to 9 tonight at the Gazebo on 401 Main St. The event will feature a scavenger hunt in downtown to find five genuine Mexican gold pesos, a $1,000 retail value, organizers said.

There will also be Mexican food, live jazz music, and radio station 102.5 the Bone broadcasting between 3 and 7 p.m.

--At Coachman Park on Sunday, Tampa Bay Devil Rays third baseman Jorge Cantu, who recently played for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic and is on the disabled list, is scheduled to sign autographs around 6 p.m., said Robin Gomez, city auditor and Latino liaison.

Six musical acts and two dancing groups, Grupo Folklorico de Tampa Bay and Grupo Folklorico Huitzhuitl, will round out the all-day event beginning at noon. Gomez said the city is holding the celebration on a Sunday, instead of on May 5, because of the large turnout last year, when 12,000 attended. The Cinco de Mayo celebration is the final event of the city's Fun 'N Sun Festival.

Headliners are banda singer Yolanda Perez and the group Big Circo, with fireworks scheduled for 9:30 p.m. There will also be nonprofit groups with bilingual booths set up and a play area where kids can whack pinatas and dive for flying candy. Admission is $5 for those 13 and older. Coolers, outside food and tents are not allowed.

[Last modified May 5, 2006, 02:30:26]