Parades and cultural events will help Tulare and Kings counties celebrate Cinco de Mayo, which marks the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Over the years, the holiday has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage in the U.S., and South Valley residents will have several events to choose from this weekend.
On Friday, May 2, the Kings Art Center, 605 N. Douty St., Hanford, will host a Cinco De Mayo celebration from 5:30-8pm. The event will feature margaritas, music, a make-your-own-taco bar, and a variety of beer from San Diego’s Green Flash Brewery. Tickets are $25. For information, visit kingsartcenter.org.
The City of Porterville will be the site of four days of events when Comision Honorifica Mexicana Americana presents its annual Cinco de Mayo Grand Fiestas May 1-4, highlighted by a downtown parade starting at 10am on Saturday, May 3, and activities from 1-7pm on Sunday, May 4, in Veterans Park. Other events include the Cinco de Mayo Pageant at 6pm on Thursday, May 1, at the Porterville Community Center, and the Cinco de Mayo Dia de los Ninos at Granite Hills High School from 10am to 1pm on Friday, May 2.
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will present the Cinco De Mayo Parade and festival in Downtown Visalia on May 3. The parade starts at 10:30am at Main and Floral Streets. The festival will begin at noon at Garden Street Plaza. For more information, call 734-6020.
Also on May 3, Hanford Chamber of Commerce and Hanford Parks and Recreation will host the 3rd Annual Cinco De Mayo Celebration at Hanford Civic Park from 11am-10pm. Food, craft and information booths, kids activities and a beer garden will be featured. Free entertainment includes Conjunto Sagrado, Aztex Dancers, Kings Cultural Center, Folklorico Dancers & Mariachi and New Monsanto. For more information call 585-2525.