Cinco de Mayo Fiesta coming back to Oklahoma City's Scissortail Park

Brandy McDonnell, Oklahoman

May 3, 2023 at 6:41 PM·4 min read

Cinco de Mayo is returning to Scissortail Park.

The Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is organizing a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at the downtown OKC park's Love's Travel Stops Stage and Great Lawn.

From 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, the free event will feature live music and dance, food trucks, visual artists, vendors and more.

"The event, of course, is for Hispanics ... but we also want to encourage the non-Hispanic community to come," said Maria Stafford, events director for the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

"It's not only for Hispanics."

Alinne Vitales waits to take food orders at Taco-NGanas during the Cinco de Mayo celebration in 2021 at Scissortail Park.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

There's much more to Cinco de Mayo (which literally means the "fifth of May" in Spanish) than cheap tacos and beer specials, although those will definitely be on the menu in many places.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s victory over the French forces of Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla (or Batalla de Puebla) in 1862.

In 1861, Mexico declared a temporary moratorium on the repayment of its foreign debts. In response, England, Spain and France dispatched naval forces to Veracruz, Mexico, to demand repayment. Britain and Spain soon negotiated with Mexico and withdrew their forces, but Napoleon III hoped to create a pro-France monarchy in Mexico.

More: Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday. So why does the United States celebrate it more?

On May 5, 1862, French military forces bound for Mexico City were stopped about 80 miles southeast at Puebla, where the ragtag Mexican troops, commanded by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated the French forces despite being outnumbered and outmatched. The French withdrew and waited nearly a year for reinforcements.

Although the Cinco de Mayo triumph only delayed an eventual French victory — the short-lived French government in Mexico was overthrown in 1867, however — the victory at Puebla did wonders for Mexican morale.

The Battle of Puebla also had significant implications in the United States as it was embroiled in the Civil War, according to the Library of Congress. France's unexpected defeat at Puebla prevented the French from allying with and providing aid to the Confederate Army.

A couple dances to the music during the 2021 Cinco de Mayo celebration at Scissortail Park.

How is OKC connected with Puebla, Mexico?

Edurne Pineda, head consul of the soon-to-open Mexican consulate in Oklahoma City, will speak about the history of Cinco de Mayo at the festival, Stafford said.

"A lot of people might think that it's Mexico's Independence Day ... but it's not. It's a very important battle that happened," Stafford said. "It was adopted by people from L.A. ... that wanted to have something in the U.S. similar to the Fourth of July."

Although Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, it has become a significant celebration of Mexican heritage and culture in the United States, especially in places with large Mexican-American populations.

Not only does Oklahoma City have a sizeable Mexican-American population, it also maintains a “sister city” relationship with Puebla, Mexico.

In 2021, Scissortail Park played host to a Cinco de Mayo celebration organized by the Scissortail Community Development Corporation.

"When Scissortail Park first opened, we hoped it would be a central gathering place for diverse cultural events such as the Cinco de Mayo festival," said Maureen Heffernan, CEO of Scissortail Park and Myriad Gardens, in an email.

“It’s wonderful that the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host their Cinco de Mayo event at the park this year. With their expertise and business connections, the chamber has created an authentic celebration of food, dance, music and culture for our entire community to enjoy.”

Colorful clothes are displayed in a booth during the 2021 Cinco de Mayo celebration at Scissortail Park.

What is planned for the OKC Cinco de Mayo Fiesta?

Oklahoma City-based Relevo Blindado will open the Cinco de Mayo festivities performing Mexican music at 4:30 and 5:15 p.m., with the event's opening ceremony planned for 5 p.m.

At 5:45 p.m., La Real Sonora OKC will take the stage to play more Mexican music, followed by fellow local band Hypnotik, which will perform American tunes from the 1970s-90s beginning at 7 p.m.

Starting at 8 p.m., two OKC dance groups — Ballet Folklorico Xochipilli and Reach Dance Studio — will entertain the audience with Mexican folkloric dance.

OKC's Boogie Fever, which specializes in 1970s disco and funk favorites, will close the festival with a 9 p.m. set.

Along with several food trucks serving Hispanic food and drinks, Stafford said about 50 exhibitors are expected to set up at the event, including community organizations, schools, health clinics, businesses and more.

"We want to get the word out, as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, that we're here to help little businesses and big businesses to grow and connect to the Hispanic community," Stafford said.

"This is a big celebration that everyone already knows, and so what a better way to connect all of our companies to the community than in a big party."