HARLINGEN — This year it’s “Seis de Mayo.”
The city’s Fourth Annual Cinco de Mayo celebration will be held not May 5 but Saturday, May 6, at Lt. George Gutierrez Jr. Park in the La Placita area.
Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for 5th of May) is often confused with Mexico’s Independence Day, but the day really celebrates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
These days, at least in the United States, it’s become a celebration of Mexican-American culture.
“We plan to have a great celebration for Cinco de Mayor in the City of Harlingen on ‘seis’ de Mayo,” Mayor Chris Boswell told the media and Harlingen and Mexican officials at City Hall.
“A day late but it’s going to be on Saturday and it’s going to be a beautiful day here in the heart of our community, here at our La Placita, in Lt. George Gutierrez Park, where we’ll have a lot of entertainment and activities to celebrate this special day in the life of our neighbor and friend, our partner in industry and commerce, Mexico.”
Boswell said that each year the event takes on more significance and importance for the Harlingen community.
“I just wanted to say thank you to the City of Harlingen for promoting these festivities and all of our traditions,” said Diana Gonzalez, coordinator of cultural and economic affairs for the Mexican consulate. “And we welcome all of the community to be there on Saturday.
“And thank you to Matamoros for promoting these efforts,” she added.
The celebration is a link between Harlingen and its sister city, Matamoros. Geraldo Rodriguez, secretary of tourism for the City of Matamoros, was in the audience.
“There’s going to be food, music — a lot of great music — and fantastic food, of course,” said City Manager Dan Serna. “Get their early. Bring your seats, bring your blankets, and sit down and enjoy a great cultural event.”
