Monday, May 01, 2006

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations

Cinco de Mayo is the historical celebration of Mexico's victory over French forces in Puebla, Mexico on May 5,1862. The Mexican forces were outnumbered three to won but the Mexicans were victorious over the more powerful French forces.

Los Angeles has a rich cultural connection to Mexico because it was instrumental in the early settling of California. Cinco de Mayo is an annual opportunity to celebrate our Mexican heritage and cultural beginnings.
One of the biggest celebrations is at Olvera Street Downtown but there are also other celebrations around the Greater LA area.

5/7 - 5/8 - Cinco de Mayo - Olvera Street
5/5 - 5/15 - Celebrate the Cultural Traditions of Mexico - Santa Monica
5/7 - Children's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta - Culver City
5/7 - Cinco De Mayo Celebration - Inland Empire

Cinco de Mayo - Olvera Street - 5/7 - 5/8 10:00AM-10:00PM, Free Event
Olvera Street Olvera Street & Cesar E. Chavez Avenue Pueblo de Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90012 213 628-1274
Olvera Street will host a fun Cinco de Mayo weekend. There will be free educational and cultural workshops, entertainment and bilingual historical information. Workshops for children will include coloring portraits of the Mexican heroes, storytelling about the important battle, learning to make piñatas and Mexican flags. Entertainment on three stages will include traditional folkloric music and dance. Participate in piñata breaking, and view a display of traditional Mexican dresses. Be sure to browse the shops for south of the border items and enjoy the authentic Mexican cuisine.

- Celebrate the Cultural Traditions of Mexico - Santa Monica - 5/5 - 5/15 9:00am-4:00pm
Admission: Adults: $6.50 Children under 12: $3.50 Seniors over 65: $4.00
Angels Attic Museum 516 Colorado Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90401 310 394-8331
Commemorate Cinco de Mayo and celebrate the unique heritage and cultural contributions of Mexican-Americans. The centerpiece of the two week fiesta will be the "Mexican Mansion," a magnificent dollhouse from Puebla, Mexico dating back to 1890. The Mexican Mansion, is a fascinating melding of European 19th century architectural traditions. The house comes complete with six dolls and is amazing to view the detailed craftsmanship.
Angels Attic is a two story Queen Anne Victorian house built in 1895 which houses a world class collection of antique dolls, dollhouses, miniatures, and toys in Santa Monica, California. The museum was founded in 1984 by Jackie McMahon, Eleanor LaVove, and a group of their friends to benefit children living with autism.

- Children's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta - Culver City - 5/7 10am-4pm, Free Event
Naturalist guided tours of the STAR ECO Station are $5 for kids, $6 for seniors and $7 for adults.
STAR ECO Station 10101 W. Jefferson Blvd Culver City, CA 90232 310 842-8060 x122
Join K-EARTH 101 in a celebration of Children's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at the STAR ECO Station wildlife rescue center. Cinco de Mayo festivities will celebrate Mexican culture. There will be many fun activities including: games, prizes, children's craft center, piñatas, mariachi, live entertainment and gourmet Mexican cuisine. Free samba lessons will have everyone moving moving to the beat and Latin rhythms.

- Cinco De Mayo Celebration - Inland Empire -5/7, Saturday, Gates open at 4:00 PM - Show starts at 4:30 PM
Tickets: $15 Adults Free - Children under 12
Parking: $5 per car
NOS Events Center Location: Lagoon/Gate 8 689 South "E" Street San Bernardino, CA 92408 909 888-6788