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El Centro de la Raza Brings Music, Food, and Culture to Beacon Hill for Cinco de Mayo

Wind, clouds, and rain didn't stop the Latino community from gathering at Plaza Roberto Maestas this past weekend in Beacon Hill to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. And even though the event isn't a formal holiday throughout the republic of Mexico, it's still a culturally significant date.

Editor

by Agueda Pacheco Flores

Wind, clouds, and rain didn't stop the Latino community from gathering at Plaza Roberto Maestas this past weekend in Beacon Hill to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. And even though the event isn't a formal holiday throughout the republic of Mexico, it's still a culturally significant date.

Sixteen-year-old Ada Maris, who was helping her mother sell artisanal jewelry and milagros from Mexico, said although it's not a big holiday in her family, she loves having the opportunity of sharing the diversity of art and culture from her native Mexico.

Luna Garcia, the director of Joyas Mestizas, a folkloric children's dance troupe that was one of many performances at the event this weekend, said she loves the Cinco de Mayo event.

"Any reason to bring us together is beautiful," she said. "To be in community, have art, and food, it's always a good time."

So what is Cinco de Mayo? Well, it's never too late to learn that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day — that's Sept. 16. Cinco de Mayo, which translates to May 5 in English, was actually a battle that took place in the Mexican state of Puebla in 1862. It was preceded by a series of events including a moratorium on paying back loans to France, England, and Spain placed by Mexican President Benito Jurez.

This eventually led to a French invasion of Puebla, but the holiday and history celebrates the victor. The battle lasted one day, and the outnumbered Mexican forces held the city.

The victory is especially commemorated every year in the state of Puebla, and the legendary battle cry of Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza is likely known by any good Mexican patriot. Ahead of the battle, Zaragoza looked to his men and told them, "Our enemies are the world's top soldiers; but you are all the prime sons of Mexico."

Vendors, performers, and attendees welcomed the rain and didn't let it stop their festivities during El Centro de la Raza's Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 4, 2024. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
Artisanal milagros with Mexican iconography and Corazones Sagrados were among the many things being sold by vendors at El Centro de La Raza's Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 4, 2024. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
Marilu Hernandez welcomes patrons into her booth during El Centro de la Raza's Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 4, 2024. Hernandez works with artisans in Oaxaca to sell their work in the United States at a fair price for both artisans and herself. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
Folklore Tonantzin dancers Isabela and Fernanda pose in their traditional dresses during El Centro de la Raza's Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 4, 2024. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
Griselda Rojas, who sells a variety of jewelry at various markets including Burien's Farmer's Market, displays her creations at El Centro de la Raza's Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 4, 2024. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
Local artist Valeria Ortiz, whose most recent work includes the mural at the White Center Food Bank, promoted and sold her artwork at the Cinco de Mayo event on May 4, 2024. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
Antojitos Lita Rosita were among many of the food vendors at the Cinco de Mayo event on May 4, 2024, offering champurrado, tamales, and aquas frescas. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
No Mexican event is without tamales. The hot, Mexican staple made their appearance at the Cinco de Mayo event on May 4, 2024, at various vending tents. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
La Panaderia Seattle offered jicama and cucumber cups as well as steaming hot tamales to festival-goers during El Centro de la Raza's Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 4, 2024. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
Father-daughter duet Vocezz, Ramiro Cruz and Valeria Cruz, performed traditional Mexican music together during El Centro de la Raza's Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 4, 2024. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
Chilean folk dancers perform a traditional courting dance known as La Cueca at El Centro de la Raza's Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 4, 2024. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)
Yadira Franco brings artisanal pieces, artwork, crafts, and jewelry from all over Mexico including Taxco, Chiapas, and Jalisco. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)

Agueda Pacheco Flores is a journalist focusing on Latinx culture and Mexican American identity. Originally from Quertaro, Mexico, Pacheco is inspired by her own bicultural upbringing as an undocumented immigrant and proud Washingtonian.

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