Holiday more than ‘Mexican beer’
AIDS Coalition director heads festive celebration
“Cinco de Mayo” doesn’t loosely translate to “drink as much Mexican beer as you can,” no matter how much Dos Equis and Corona pump into advertising.
Also, emphasized Mario Saucedo, it’s not Mexican Independence Day and, in fact, it’s celebrated more in the United States than it is in Mexico.
The date commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862.
“Our community should know that it’s not about drinking beer. I think that’s wrong,” said Saucedo, director of the Solano AIDS Coalition and coordinator of this Saturday’s Cinco de Mayor celebration in downtown Vallejo.
“People need to learn what Cinco de Mayor means and why it
is important,” Saucedo said by phone Monday.
The annual event — put on hold last year because of COVID-19 — returns Saturday to the 200 block of Georgia Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free. Arts, crafts, vendors, and entertainment that includes Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli of American Canyon and Vallejo and Ballet Folklorico Moon Azteca of Vallejo, plus Vallejo officials speaking at noon, including City Councilmember Mina Diaz.
“We are participating so we can continue with our traditions and teaching history to the little ones,” said Yajaira Rubio, director of Moon Azteca. “They always learn new things at every event that we go and participate. We are also showing support to all the community events here in the city of Vallejo. My kids love being part of our diverse community.”
Saucedo expects several hundred to attend, with COVID-19 protocols of masking and social distancing in place.
“We still have to be careful with the pandemic. Later, we can have a celebration that’s bigger with more people,” Saucedo said. “We need this to help get people out, even a little bit at first. It’s been almost a year and half of not having events. The main thing on Saturday is celebrating and being safe.”
“For me, the reason why we’re doing a Cinco de Mayor event is that it brings the Hispanic community together to celebrate,” Saucedo said. “Keeping the tradition going is very important to me. It’s part of my work and my passion.”
Saucedo said that beyond the music, the celebration is a good way to educate people, “to teach them about a cultural event. Vallejo is one of the most diverse cities in the United States and people should learn what it means.”
In organizing the Cinco de Mayor celebration, “my goal is to bring the community together,” Saucedo said. “It’s about learning from each other, uniting ourselves as humans. We’re too separated. We are a ‘human culture.’ A big, huge culture. We’re all equal.”
The music jolts Saucedo’s memory of a childhood in Mexico.
“When I see all the dancers, I remember all the traditions and the power of the event,” he said.
With rain a distance memory, 80 degrees is forecast for the weekend.
“It will be a beautiful day,” Saucedo said.
DO YOU WANT THAT SAFE OR MEDIUM-SAFE?