It’s Fiesta Time – Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner.

This celebration commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Although a Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo has been celebrated in the United States right from the start.

It is said that when Mexican miners in the gold country town of Columbia (in California) heard the news, they celebrated by firing rifles, shooting off fireworks, singing patriotic songs and making speeches.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

To celebrate this historic event, for a simple home get-together, or at your wedding (May 5 falls on a Saturday in 2018), here are some “must haves.”

Cinco de Mayo Food & Beverages
Cuisine

Burritos, tostadas, or enchiladas. How about a taco bar?

Serve elote (Mexican corn on the cob) on the side, topped with salt, chili powder, lime, butter, cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream. It is traditionally served on a stick, with the husks pulled back as a handle, or cut the kernels into a bowl.

Have plenty of homemade tortilla chips and dishes of guacamole and salsa.

And don’t forget dessert – rice pudding, flan (caramel custard), sopapillas (a crispy, fried flatbread), and churros are all delicious choices.

Beverages
Mojitos, Margaritas, Sangria often come to mind. Other delicious options are:

• Paloma – a mix of tequila, grapefruit, lime and soda
• Michelada – a classic “cerveza preparada” (beer cocktail)
• Horchata – made of almonds, rice and cinnamon

Non-alcoholic drinks:
• Agua Fresca – a blend of water and sugar with fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds
• Mexican soda – enjoy delicious flavors, like Tutifruti (fruit punch), Toronja (grapefruit), Guayaba (guava), Jamaica (hibiscus), Limón (lime), and Mandarina (mandarin)

• Virgin Margaritas – with frozen limeade, orange juice, and grapefruit juice

Cinco de Mayo Décor
Color Palette
Incorporate the colors of the Mexican flag (green, white, and red) into your decor.

Table Runners/Linens
Place table runners of green, white, and red on your tables. Or, instead of a runner, use a Mexican rug or blanket as a fun table overlay.

Decorations
What else is more iconically Mexican than colorful pinatas, maracas, or papel picado (perforated paper) banners? Also use colored plates or utensils, colored vases or pottery, tissue paper flowers.

Photo Credits:
Cinco de Mayo Dancers – Eric Chan via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Battle of Puebla –Katie Bordner via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Fireworks –Bayasaa via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Tacos –The DLC via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Elote –Jo del Corro via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Paloma –Sarah Stierch via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Jarritos –L.A. Foodie via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean

For fun ideas for your wedding, contact me today at jean@weddingsfromtheheart.net or at 937-235-2586 or 937-581-3647!

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