Cinco de Mayo is commonly misunderstood to be a Latin American holiday. It is a celebration of a battle that Mexico once won, but many cities in Mexico itself do not celebrate it. It has become more of an Americanized holiday and people typically spend the day learning more about Mexico’s culture or traditions. However, the city of Puebla in Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo rather grandly. Overall, they celebrate the holiday through parades along with grand meals and even historical reenactments.
The morning of Cinco de Mayo in Puebla is a morning you would never forget. They begin with morning parades with various colorful dancers and dancers, loud, vibrant music, and finally Mexico’s flag is waved around the city to celebrate their pride. Additionally, as the day goes on, they have more parades. For example, the Military parade is an honorable and memorable one to note. During this parade, Mexican soldiers are honored and they mark the anniversary of the Battle that they won. This Battle is known as “La Batalla de Puebla” and there are various colorful cars. The parades are definitely not known to be anywhere near quiet. The music and people are loud and vibrant, but that is what makes the event so special. Some traditional foods that people eat during the festival include tamales, horchata, and most important of all “Mole Mole Poblano”. Mole Mole Poblano is the official dish locals eat on Cinco de Mayo. Mole means a combination of sauces along with tortillas. It is made using various spices, sauces, nuts, tortillas, and vegetables. It takes a few hours to prepare, but it is known to be delicious and flavorful!
Along with parades, Mexicans celebrate with historical reenactments during Cinco de Mayo. Many people get into military gear and dress up as soldiers to reenact the Battle of Puebla on the street in front of others. Sometimes, the reenactment can last minutes and other times they do the official reenactment which ends up lasting a few hours. Overall, the experience of watching a reenactment is so unique and special. Even if you cannot go in person, it is highly recommended to watch a reenactment on Youtube for the emotion that is presented in all of the soldiers. There is not a specific casting, but all of the residents come together and decide who plays who. In 2024, the reenactment lasted one to two hours compared to 2023 when it lasted 4 hours! In conclusion, Cinco de Mayo is an important festival for the city of Puebla. It is celebrated beautifully and the history behind it is fascinating to learn about.
Works Cited
Davidson, Rose. “Cinco de Mayo: Fiesta Fun!” History, National Geographic Kids, 29
Apr. 2015,
kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/cinco-de-mayo#:~:text=Now%20the%2
0people%20of%20Puebla,as%20well%20as%20Mexican%20culture. Accessed 31
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“11 Authentic Cinco de Mayo Foods and Facts.” Hy-Vee Recipes and Ideas, 2024,
www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/advice-how-tos/entertaining/parties/cinco-de-mayo-f
oods-and-facts. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.