Cinco de Mayo is one of the most popular holidays in the United States, yet many local celebrations are far from authentic even though Georgia is home to approximately 602,000 people of Mexican origin, and Mexico is Georgia’s second largest export market, according to the Mexico Consulate in Atlanta. While Cinco de Mayo is a day almost like any other south of the border, the holiday’s celebrations began in the United States after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’ implemented the“Good Neighbor Policy” in 1933. To help locals celebrate this holiday with a long history, we’ve compiled a list of authentic Mexican events for Cinco de Mayo in Atlanta.
La Fiesta Del Cinco Hapeville
The second annual La Fiesta Del Cinco Hapeville at Jess Lucas Park will include authentic Mexican dishes, inflatables, a mechanical bull ride and live performances from acts including Mariachi Amigoz de Taylor Fuentes and Conjunto Alazzan. The entire event is Spanish-speaking only, so you’ll feel as though you’re visiting Mexico.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Free. Jess Lucas Park, 680 S Central Avenue, Hapeville. 404-669-2116, hapeville.org/index.aspx?NID=507
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Alma Mexicana Danza Folklórica at Snellville Days
The traditional Mexican dance group Alma Mexicana Danza Folklórica will perform at Snellville Days on Saturday.. The mixed-gender dance group is directed by Hilda Lucía Estrella de Lev, who has been dancing for more than 25 years and completed her professional dance studies at Monterrey Superior School of Music and Dance—a part of the Mexico National Institute of Fine Arts. The festival runs Saturday and Sunday, but Alma Mexicana Danza Folklórica will only perform on Saturday.
12:15 p.m. Saturday. $15. T.W. Briscoe Park, Sawyer Parkway SW, Snellville. 770-985-3535, snellvilledays.org
Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Plaza Fiesta
Plaza Fiesta will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a family-friendly event featuring lots of entertainment, live mariachi music, bands, games and prizes. The party will include a performance from famed Mexican singer-songwriter Fidel Rueda as well as the unveiling of Yehimi Cambrón’s latest mural, which honors the contributions of Latinos in Atlanta.
Noon-7 p.m. Sunday. Free. Plaza Fiesta, 4166 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta. 404-982-9138, plazafiesta.net
Taste of Mexico at The Catholic Center of the Holy Spirit (Centro Católico del Espíritu Santo)
Mexico is home to world’s second-largest Catholic population, and Atlanta’s Holy Spirit Catholic Church is honoring this sizable group in the U.S. with its “Taste of Mexico” event. The community-come-together allows parishioners and non-parishioners alike to celebrate their heritage and eat homemade food provided by the church’s immigrant community. Additionally, food items will be sold to benefit the church, which has the goal of blending the “Mother Church” (Holy Spirit Catholic Church) community with its Hispanic brothers and sisters. Food will also be served at the center on Saturday from 4-8 p.m.
After the 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. masses. Sunday. Free. Solidarity Village, 120 Northwood Drive NE, Sandy Springs. 404-303-9927, hsccatl.com/Centro-Catolico
5 de Mayo Celebration at Pendergrass Flea Market
Pendergrass Flea Market will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with an all-ages event featuring authentic food, games and raffles in addition to a dance performance from Danza Tonalli and live music from Los Perikitos de la Sierra.
1 p.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Free. Pendergrass Flea Market, 5641 U.S. 129, Pendergrass. 706-740-4379, fleamarket.com
La Raza Fest 2019
La Raza 102.3FM/107.1FM will be holding its 16th annual Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day Celebration with performances from headliner La Maquinaria Norteña and co-headliner Grupo Montez de Durango. The family-friendly event typically has about 50,000 in attendance and features a gigantic kid’s zone as well as authentic Mexican food and beer.
Noon-8 p.m. May 12. Free. Gwinnett Place Mall, 2100 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. 770-623-8772, facebook.com/larazadeatlanta
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