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Cinco de Mayo

SUNDOG - 4-13-2008 at 04:10 PM

I can't help it, I have to send this out every year.

The Mexicans in the states celebrate Cinco de Mayo more than the ones here in Mexico, but the ones that do celebrate here, barbecue and party. Mexicans party at the drop of a hat, which really isn't a bad thing. They even celebrate some American holidays. Any thing that gives them an excuse to party. Here is the history of Cinco de Mayo
Don.
http://www.bajasundog.com/directory2/sinkodemayo.html

DENNIS - 4-13-2008 at 04:52 PM

I still say, the popularity of Cinco De Mayo in the states started in Newport Beach 50 [?] years ago. The yacht race organised at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club was and is called the Cinco De Mayo race or, more appropriatly, the Ensenada Race. It was traditionally held with that day in mind and the historical date was given exposure in the states as a party event in Ensenada. It was a huge party and the event became known all over the place, not for history but, Hussongs and the entire strip in Ensenada.
The day gained notariety in areas beyond the yacht club and the original meaning of the day became evident to many areas in the US and it grew in popularity as an important day in Mexican history, which it was never celebrated as such.
Today in Mexico, the locals shrug their shoulders at the mention of the day.
In Newport Beach, they design their calender with the day in mind.
Just my humble, studied, opinion.

[Edited on 4-13-2008 by DENNIS]

bajajudy - 4-13-2008 at 04:58 PM

I always heard it was a Hallmark moment
It is a holiday that the Mexicans can celebrate without any reference to battles with the USA....they defeated the French for crying out loud....who cares. Not even the Mexicans.

bajabound2005 - 4-13-2008 at 05:42 PM

Not Hallmark, CORONA!

bajajudy - 4-13-2008 at 05:49 PM

Much better explanation!

bancoduo - 4-13-2008 at 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
I still say, the popularity of Cinco De Mayo in the states started in Newport Beach 50 [?] years ago. The yacht race organised at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club was and is called the Cinco De Mayo race or, more appropriatly, the Ensenada Race. It was traditionally held with that day in mind and the historical date was given exposure in the states as a party event in Ensenada. It was a huge party and the event became known all over the place, not for history but, Hussongs and the entire strip in Ensenada.
The day gained notariety in areas beyond the yacht club and the original meaning of the day became evident to many areas in the US and it grew in popularity as an important day in Mexican history, which it was never celebrated as such.
Today in Mexico, the locals shrug their shoulders at the mention of the day.
In Newport Beach, they design their calender with the day in mind.
Just my humble, studied, opinion.

[Edited on 4-13-2008 by DENNIS]

Ensenada, cinco, 50's to early 60's. WOW! Was that ever party time. 48hrs. non stop. :spingrin:

Price - 4-13-2008 at 07:30 PM

In Vegas - all the casinos go all out for Cinco De Mayo - sponsered by Carona !!! :?:

DENNIS - 4-13-2008 at 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Price
In Vegas - all the casinos go all out for Cinco De Mayo - sponsered by Carona !!! :?:

I can't imagine how that would, or wouldn't, go over if they tried it in Mexico.

elgatoloco - 4-14-2008 at 08:03 AM

Sundog, thank you for the link to the historical explanation of the holiday. Even though some celebrated events begin with such tragedy one can always find a reason to have another Tecate, or three. :saint:

The "reality" of Cinco de Mayo

thebajarunner - 4-14-2008 at 08:55 AM

We were in Puebla several times in recent years and spent some time walking the area and reviewing the famous "battle"

Actually, this was just a part of the war that the locals did not lose quite as badly as some of their other losses.

After the skirmishes of the day, the French simply bypassed the city and soldiered on to the capital.

All in all, not much more than a brief psychological victory, nothing much to celebrate IMHO.

elgatoloco - 4-14-2008 at 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
We were in Puebla several times in recent years and spent some time walking the area and reviewing the famous "battle"

You mean "sinking" don't you?

Did you get any photos of the monument to Hellmann's? :smug:

Lindalou - 4-14-2008 at 10:08 AM

Cinco De Mayo, was one of the most celebrated days in Elko Nv. Lots of buffets and many other things going on. Elko has a very large population of Mx. very few of them attended these festivities :lol:

DENNIS - 4-14-2008 at 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichnLinda
Cinco De Mayo, was one of the most celebrated days in Elko Nv. Lots of buffets and many other things going on. Elko has a very large population of Mx. very few of them attended these festivities :lol:

Those with limited education possibly had no idea what the historical significance was. It's a U.S. party started by mostly white, middle/upper class yachties.
That's all Mexico needs...another reason to not show up for work as though San Lunes wasn't enough.

Lindalou - 4-14-2008 at 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

our helper has quit showing up for work I think he may think it's cinco de mayo already :lol:

DENNIS - 4-14-2008 at 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichnLinda

our helper has quit showing up for work I think he may think it's cinco de mayo already :lol:

That's what I mean by San Lunes. Not showing up for work on Mondays is so common that society has, with tongue in cheek, alloted the day the status of a saints day. Saint Monday.

Lindalou - 4-14-2008 at 12:39 PM

Thanks Dennis, I did not know that. Trouble is we may have already replaced him for Tue. :lol:

Dos de Febrero

MrBillM - 4-14-2008 at 02:05 PM

Should be the day celebrated by Mexican descendents in the United States.

DENNIS - 4-14-2008 at 02:11 PM

Right you are, Bill. There's no way they can lose.

Oso - 4-14-2008 at 06:22 PM

Interesting and amusing suppositions, as usual all wrong. The first Cinco de Mayo celebration was on Olvera street in old L.A., May 5, 1863, one year after the battle, while Mexico was still occupied by the French. Why this is celebrated more this side of the border is due to the Mexican-American Civic and Cultural organizations that raised funds and even sent fighters to support Juarez. When Max eventually got whacked, those early Chicanos considered it "their" victory and settled on 5/5 as a focal point for celebrating the (eventual) victory over the foreign invaders Today it's almost a property of Corona, but WTF, I'm Irish, I'll drink to anything.

DENNIS - 4-14-2008 at 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oso
Interesting and amusing suppositions, as usual all wrong.

I don't think so. The build up, the race, the non-stop party and the trip home to Newport involved more north of the border participants than Olvera Street and it's cultural organizations could gather together in a hundred years. If you didn't see it or jump into the middle of it, you won't be able to appreciate the magnitude of the production which appealed to civilized people in a restraint-free setting and the promise of a repeat event the following year.
In Newport, "Cinco" fever spread to points beyond and eventually, with big time advertisers, throughout the states. Many thought it was Mexican independence day and because the advertising never explained the significance of the day, the party atmosphere grew since, after all, Americans know full well how to behave on Independence Day.
Olvera Street? Sure, it's part of the history but, without that sailboat race, it would still be confined to a speech or two in the park and a three car parade.

DENNIS - 4-16-2008 at 05:10 PM

So Oso, since you chose to slander me as "usually all wrong", I would like to see your reply to my evaluation of the event and reasons for it's popularity today. Let's not be one trick ponies here with accusations and silence. Show me where I'm wrong or, apologize for your public attack on my credibility.

Crusoe - 4-16-2008 at 05:31 PM

Dennis...I would completely agree with your asesment and the accurate definitions of how "Cinco Fever" got started and spread in the beginning days of a big "Mexican Tradition" for us gringos to celebrate, in and around Orange County in the early 50s and 60s. While the S.F. Bay area Bohemians and Hipsters were tuneing in and dropping out, us red blooded and wild as hell beer drinking sailors and surfers from So. Cal. were celebrating anything Mexican. Remember the Juarachi tire tread sandals and cheap straw hats? Now those were truly the "Good Old Days". ++C++ :spingrin:

Osprey - 4-16-2008 at 05:50 PM

Dennis, as your analyst I must bring you back to earth. How soon we forget! Dont' you remember the roses thrown at your feet not long ago for showing yourself as a puppy pampering, do-gooder and all around nice guy of Baja Norte? Do the exercises I gave you or I may have to call in my collegue Dr. Ifishwhenimnotshrinkingstrangepeopleinmexico. DDRRSSphdSm.

DENNIS - 4-16-2008 at 05:54 PM

Oh, yeah Crusoe.... And trips to TJ to buy Spanish Fly? I'll bet Ferna doesn't even remember that stuff.
They still make those tire tred sandals [ huaraches] but, today they only use Michelens.

bancoduo - 4-16-2008 at 05:58 PM

Having participated in the race for about 6yrs; I was living in a town north of DF. Cinco de Mayo rolled around and I was anticipating a fiesta. Well, nothing happened, so I asked around. Nobody ever heard of it, not even the story of the kids fighting the frogs. It could be an Olvera st. cultural reenactment thing that nobody in world cared about, until the Newport/ensenada race. Dennis is right on about this. :cool:

DENNIS - 4-16-2008 at 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Osprey
Dennis, as your analyst I must bring you back to earth. How soon we forget! Dont' you remember the roses thrown at your feet not long ago for showing yourself as a puppy pampering, do-gooder and all around nice guy of Baja Norte? Do the exercises I gave you or I may have to call in my collegue Dr. Ifishwhenimnotshrinkingstrangepeopleinmexico. DDRRSSphdSm.

Thanks for the warning, DR. Jorge. I always appreciate it when you retrieve me from mental lofty hieghts and the threat of Dr. Rick intervening brings me back to earth as well.
So nice that you......... I forgot.

DENNIS - 4-16-2008 at 06:06 PM

Thank you, Duo. Appreciate that reference.

elgatoloco - 4-16-2008 at 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bancoduo
Having participated in the race for about 6yrs; I was living in a town north of DF. Cinco de Mayo rolled around and I was anticipating a fiesta. Well, nothing happened, so I asked around. Nobody ever heard of it, not even the story of the kids fighting the frogs. It could be an Olvera st. cultural reenactment thing that nobody in world cared about, until the Newport/ensenada race. Dennis is right on about this. :cool:

More importanatly did they hear about the sinking of the ship and the heartache and disappointment it brought the citizens of Puebla?

Oso - 4-17-2008 at 08:11 AM

Oooh, touchy, touchy. Sorry to dampen such a nice paranoid snit, Dennis, but I was not singling you out. Regarding the FIRST U.S. celebrations of 5/5, all the prior stories, particularly the amusing Hellman's version were historically wrong. However, if the point you are trying to make is that the popularity of the "holiday" was greatly increased among Anglo-Americans in SoCal by a particular boat race, then I'm perfectly willing to concede that point. Primarily because I don't really give a culo de rata. :rolleyes:

durrelllrobert - 4-17-2008 at 08:21 AM

Quote:

Today in Mexico, the locals shrug their shoulders at the mention of the day.

[Edited on 4-13-2008 by DENNIS]

And now they have completly embraced Cuarto de Julio as their own and have an economic boom in fireworks sales. :lol:

Crusoe - 4-17-2008 at 08:37 AM

In the late 50's and early 60's Ensenada was cosidered a huge party town by thousands of So. Cal. young folks looking for a big adventure both by college kids as well as afluent adults. Hussongs Cantina was "The Spot to Be". After the Newport/ Enseada yacht race each year ( which I participated in many) Hussongs became out of control!!! People would drink themselves into a state the likes I have never seen since in public. Women and girls stripping off all their clothes and dancing on the tables. Loud marriachi music and men singing loud old sea chanteys and screaming at the top of their lungs. Free pitchers of beer being passed over the bar by the bartenders only to be poured over someones head with great bravado.This celebration went on for 3 to 4 days and became a legend and big talk around So.Cal. social life, and something not to miss. This was the Cinco de Mayo every one new. And the Mexicans loved it as much as anyone else. ++C++ :lol:

DENNIS - 4-17-2008 at 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crusoe
People would drink themselves into a state the likes I have never seen since in public. Women and girls stripping off all their clothes and dancing on the tables. Loud marriachi music and men singing loud old sea chanteys and screaming at the top of their lungs. Free pitchers of beer being passed over the bar by the bartenders only to be poured over someones head with great bravado.

And to think, some Mexicans like to say North Americans have no culture.

The Bahia was another hot spot. I think it's still the headquarters for the race related activities.