Cinco de Mayo Celebration On Point with Parade And Annual Concert

by CHRISTY MARTINEZ-GARCIA LATINO LUBBOCK MAGAZINE

Cinco de Mayo in Lubbock once again will include a combination of vi brant concerts balanced with many school and community groups’ observances that showcase Mexican culture through education, and recog nition events.

And while some have com mercialized the celebration Cinco de Mayo is still a date of great importance for the Mexican and Chicano communities. The date of ten confused as Mexican Independence Day, is actual ly a historical day that celebrates a victory of a major battle when Mexico conquered French forces in Puebla, Mexico, in 1862.

At the time, Mexico was occupied by the French under the rule of Emperor Maximillian. Benito Juarez, the president of Mexico, had been forced by the financial toll of the Reform War to suspend debt payments to Mexico’s chief European creditors: France, Britain and Spain.

The French, English and Spanish invaded Mexico to get payments by whatever means necessary.

The Spanish and English eventually withdrew, but the French refused to leave.

The French army, numbering 6,000, moved to occupy the city of Puebla. It was met by a largely peasant force of 2,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indians led by Juarez. The troops under Juarez emerged victorious May 5, 1862. Because of this victory, against tremendous odds, The Batalla de Puebla (Battle of Puebla), now referred to as Cinco de Mayo, continues to be a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and the southwestern United States.

To further increase cultural awareness, this year there are various events that will be held city-wide.

Plans for the 11th Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade of Lubbock a program of Los Her- manos Familia are underway and the date will be Saturday, May 6, 2023! Lubbock will hold its official Cinco de Mayo parade down historic Broadway. Special thanks to Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers, Latino Lubbock Magazine, Lamar Advertising, Liggett Law Group, P.C., and other media spon-

The theme for the 11th Annual Cinco de Mayo will be, “!Somos la fuerza de nuestra comunidad! We are the Strength of Our Community!" all public organizations are urged to be a part of this year's parade and celebrate putting UNITY in commUNITY.

Schools, marching bands, churches, car clubs, bikers, organizations, Veterans, dance groups, sports teams, businesses and anyone wanting to join Los Hermanos Familia's effort to bring the community together are encouraged to participate. Applications for parade entries and floats, can be found online at www.loshermanosfamilia.org on the “Get Involved” page. Be a participant, or a spectator on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Set up time is as early as 8 a.m., and will commence at 10 a.m.

For the 31st year, Magic 106.5, who has held the title of the official Cinco de Mayo event, will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the South Plains Fair Grounds, 105 East Broadway.

Performing are: Joe Lopez y Grupo Mazz, Elida Reyna y Avante, Los Garcia Bros, David Farias, La Anarquia & Mariachi Mi Tierra.

Tickets, including lake gate fee, are $10 in advance. They are available at any O'Reilly Auto Parts or online at www. magic1065.com . At the gate tickets are $20. Kids 12 and under are free, and gates open at noon. No - outside food or drinks, however, lawn chairs, blankets, strollers and still cameras are encouraged.

From Latino Lubbock Magazine, have a safe and festive Cinco de Mayo!

INNOVATION HUB AWARDS ANNOUNCED: Winners of TTU’s Accelerator Competition and Social Innovation Challenge were announced April 14, with the Innova- tion Hub at Research Park awarding more than $250,000 and announcing the seventh cohort of the Accelerator Program. After a month of interviews and mentorship opportunities, the 17 finalists spent the day presenting their pitches to a panel of judges in a “Shark Tank” style competition. Congratulations from Latino Lubbock Magazine! (Photo by TTU)