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Cinco de Mayo…
The Heart of Kentucky Cinco de Mayo Celebration is held each May in Lebanon
to celebrate Mexican culture and the close
ties Lebanon has with its Mexican-born citizens. The 2006 celebration will be held Sun., May 7, from
4-7 p.m. on Johnston Field at Centre Square. The celebration includes
authentic food, music, dancing and games and it's all FREE.
In 2006, Jose Livera will perform traditional
songs and Los Niños Latinos, a 'folkloric' dance group, will
demonstrate. Visitors have the
opportunity to play games, such as Mexican bingo, and win prizes and
kids can take a swing at the piñatas. There are also Mexican artifacts
and art exhibits.
The celebration of Cinco de Mayo, which
means "fifth of May" in Spanish, dates back 144 years. In 1862, French
troops came to Mexico on the pretext of collecting a debt from the
Mexican government. The French army invaded the state of Veracruz and
began a March toward Mexico City. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was
sympathetic to the Mexican cause but was unable to provide direct
assistance since the United States was in the midst of its own Civil
War.
On May 5, 1862, a 4,500-member Mexican
militia defeated 6,500 French soldiers in the Battle of Puebla and Cinco
de Mayo was originally a celebration of the bravery of the militia
members who won the battle. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has developed into a celebration of Mexican culture, much like St. Patrick's Day celebrates Irish culture.
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| Copyright © 2006 by the Lebanon Tourist and Convention Commission | ||
