Spartanburg prepares for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. What you need to know.

Willy Taco is throwing a Cinco de Mayo celebration Friday with music, drinks and plenty of outdoor fun.

The Mexican fusion restaurant is holding parties at both the Spartanburg and Greenville locations from 5-10 p.m. Friday, May 5.

"The restaurants will be open for business and folks can kind of expect a wait; obviously, because it's a really popular evening of the year," said Kenneth Cribb, Hub City Hospitality partner. "So as folks wait, they'll have live music and refreshments — margaritas, cold cerveza — and we're also having an artisans craft market this year, both locations, so they can peruse all the handmade goods that will be on display."

This year is gearing up to be a significant year for the restaurant because Willy Taco is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its original Spartanburg location in November. Willy Taco opened its fifth location last month in Simpsonville, and a new menu has been rolled out in all five locations. The restaurant has locations in Boiling Springs, Easley, Simpsonville, Spartanburg and Greenville.

The restaurant was also spotlighted by Southern Living once again, in its recent Best of Spring issue.

"The Upstate is on fire. It really is. And everyone seems to want to move here. And, you know, the culinary landscape is growing. It's pretty exciting, so it was nice to be noticed by those guys," Cribb said.

Speaking of Willy Taco's new menu ...

Partygoers will eat inside for this year’s Willy de Mayo. Cribb said the party will give customers an opportunity to try the restaurant’s new menu.

“It's the biggest menu overhaul that we've probably ever done, maybe with the exception of the very first menu we launched almost 10 years ago, followed by the second menu," Cribb said. "We made some pretty dramatic changes that we feel are elevated and are for the best. And we're getting a lot of really positive feedback.”

About a dozen new and updated items are on the menu. Culinary director Tyler Handler said the menu revamp has been an opportunity to bring in new flavors, particularly smoked flavors now that the restaurants are smoking their own meats, and stepping up old favorites.

"It can be kind of scary putting out new items to a place that has so many regulars that have supported us for so long. It's frightening taking some things away off of a menu that has so many staples that make us, us," Handler said. "But we just wanted to keep going with the chef-driven idea and concept and really just focus on the things that we felt could use an upgrade and also some brand new flavors that the community hasn't seen yet."

The menu features new appetizers, like brisket and mac and cheese egg rolls, and several new tacos including a Korean pork taco, a Nashville Hot Chicken taco, and a crab cake taco.

"We've got a new crab cake taco that has been a big hit. I really just love the fresh kind of bright colors and beautiful flavors," Handler said.

The new smoked wings served with a chimichurri dip, and Veg Head bowl with rice, black beans and roasted vegetables, have also been popular additions.

Willy de Mayo party entertainment

In addition to trying new menu items, party guests can check out the parking lot party while they wait for a table.

Two bands, Avant’s Attic (starting at 5:30 p.m.) and Bobby Likes Cake (starting at 8 p.m.) will perform on a stage near the rear of the restaurant parking lot.

This year's party will feature an artisan craft market, with a planned eight local artists.

"The artists are just really, really good friends. We've always worked closely with local artists; we respect so much the work that they do, and we hope that it'll be not only good exposure but a very lucrative opportunity for them. They'll keep 100% of the revenues they bring in from their hard work," Cribb said.

Partygoers can also get their faces painted or grab a drink at the outdoor bar — draft beer, cerveza, and plenty of fresh margaritas are on the menu.

Need-to-know Willy de Mayo attendance info

The party will set up on the left side of the restaurant's parking lot from 5-10 p.m., but the restaurant will remain open until 11 p.m. The stage will be at the back of the lot and the artists' market and drink stations will be set up on the sides.

Some parking will be available on site and more will be available across the street at Bell Hill. Crossing guards will be on East Main Street to direct traffic during the event.

Downtown Cinco de Mayo celebrations

There are more options for celebrating Cinco de Mayo downtown on Friday and Saturday:

Mezcal Taberna Mexicana (143 W. Main St.) is holding its third annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Festival from 12-10 p.m. May 6. The downtown festival will take place at Barnet Park this year, instead of at the Morgan Square restaurant. The celebration will feature food and drinks and performances from El Dasa, Sara G. Barton, Norita La Del Barrio, Natalie Foreverland, Jessica James, Fregona Del Sur, Grupo Profesión, Danza Aztecas, Son Del Callao, Mariachi Grullense, and the International Dance Academy. Proceeds from the event benefit PASOs Spartanburg County. Perinatal Awareness for Successful Outcomes is a statewide initiative to support the Latino community with maternal and child health needs.

Burrito Hub (253 Magnolia St.) will block off the side road to the left of its building Friday for an outdoor Cinco de Mayo celebration. Swing by for tri-color chips and guacamole and $4 Lollipop Mexican Shots alongside the regular menu.

El Paso Tacos and Tequila (149 S. Daniel Morgan Ave.) will hold its Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Friday. The celebration will offer a number of drink specials including $5 shots of Patron and Don Julio Silver, a complimentary tequila tasting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and free T-shirts.

After party bites: Check out these places to grab late-night food and drinks in Spartanburg

Great bites and value to check out on Cinco de Mayo

Mata's Mexican Bar and Grill (464 E. Main St.) 16 oz draft beers and Jimador tequila shots- $4

Nacho Taco (129 N. Spring St.) Spring Street Burrito, chicken and chorizo burrito served with rice - $9.50

Bronco Mexican Restaurant (435 E. Main St.) Chicken Tamales - 3 for $8.10

Tacos & Bla Bla Bla (1802 Drayton Road Suite 129) Veggie Gordita - $6

Mr. Tequila Mexican Grill (1071 Fernwood Glendale Road) Chimichanga de Camerón - $12.99

Los Mexicanos Restaurant (211 E. Main St. Suite D) Taco Salad - $7

El Conquistador Mexican Restaurant (352 E. Blackstock Road and 2401 Reidville Road) El Combo, one chalupa, one chile relleno, one enchilada, one burrito, one beef taco, rice and beans - $11.50

Samantha Swann covers city news, development and culture in Spartanburg. She is a University of South Carolina Upstate and Greenville Technical College alumna. Contact her at sswann@shj.com or on Instagram at @sameatsspartanburg. Can't get enough food news? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for foodies, Spartanburg Eats.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Spartanburg getting ready for Cinco de Mayo celebrations