Latino community celebrates 5th Annual Cinco de Mayo in Fremont

Melissa Baker
·2 min read
Andi and Amara Moya were wearing their Latino dresses to celebrate their culture at the Cinco de Mayo festival in Fremont.
Andi and Amara Moya were wearing their Latino dresses to celebrate their culture at the Cinco de Mayo festival in Fremont.

FREMONT - The 5th Annual Cinco de Mayo celebration was held May 6 in downtown. The block-long event had people arriving earlier than noon to celebrate this day. The festivities included Spanish music, authentic Mexican food, pineapple beverages, games, T-shirts, and various vendor booths.

“Everything we do is family-friendly”, said Lydia Alejandro, event organizer. “I also know the vendors here and I invite them to come down and show off the Latino culture Fremont can offer.”

Alejandro not only organized the event, but she also helps raise donations to fund and provide help to nonprofits such as the Share and Care food bank and other organizations.

“Everything we get goes into the funds and sponsors, family, friends, and the Latino community,” Alejandro said.

Tisa Cruz and Henry Cruz were selling 2023 Cinco de Mayo T-shirts in honor of their friend who died. They sell different things each year and last year they sold pinatas.

Anit-a-taco was one of the food vendors Saturday at the Cinco de Mayo Festival in Fremont.
Anit-a-taco was one of the food vendors Saturday at the Cinco de Mayo Festival in Fremont.

Assorted vendors set up in downtown Fremont

“We volunteer each year to help out,” Henry Cruz said.

Vendors like Los Agaves Taqueria from Toledo, El Norte Western wear, Los Altos Boots, Anit-a-taco, and Artesanias offered handmade goods that brought out the culture and heritage of the celebration.

“This event is a true community event run by volunteers; thank them for making this happen,” Mayor Danny Sanchez said.

Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez and Lydia Alejandro at the festival Saturday.
Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez and Lydia Alejandro at the festival Saturday.

There were other festivities like a jalapeno eating contest, El Grito, Pinatas, a raffle, Cinco De Mayo heritage awards, and a Latino college scholarship award.

Festival celebrates battle in Mexico

Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French in 1862 and in the United States, it celebrates the Latino culture, heritage and pride. It is also celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico.

In fact, in Puebla, Mexico Cinco de Mayo is called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla, which translates to “The Day of the Battle of Puebla” and is celebrated more like a military reenactment where people dress like the French and Mexican soldiers.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Latino community in Fremont celebrates 5th Annual Cinco de Mayo