The Cinco De Mayo on Celebration Plaza Saturday was declared a huge success by city officials and program organizers.
Sulphur Springs Place 3 City Councilman Oscar Aguilar extended thanks during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting to the City of Sulphur Springs for allowing the community to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a festival on the square Saturday. He also extended thanks to city staff, especially Joey Baker and Sarah for all of the work they put into the event.
“It was a big success even if it ended a little early,” Aguilar said, referencing the rain that resulted in an slightly earlier than anticipated end to the festivities. This allowed those vendors and actively involved in hosting the event to pack everything up and clear the area before it began raining heavily May 1, 2021.
“Everyone was happy and we had a large time. Thank you city and staff for helping out. Joey and Sarah for all of their hard work there, Gary and everything they did. Everyone really enjoyed it. Next year, we’ll try to plan it out a little bit better, make it bigger and better.”
Aguilar said the parade went off well, including having the horseback riders. The individuals involved with that, he said, are excited to do more next year.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory, 2,000 soldiers to 6,000 soldiers over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza, a Texan from the Goliad area The US has celebrated Cinco de Mayo since the end of the Franco-Mexico and US civil wars.
Celebrations on May 5 typically include parades, food and frozen treats, music, folkloric dancing and battle reenactments. Hopkins County welcomed many to downtown, where vendors and organizations offered food, snacks, face painting and a variety of other items. A group of parents representing the youth football and cheerleaders offered treats to help raise funds for the blowup tunnel used during football games. There were games, clothes, hats, boots and even a mechanical bull
A small group paraded to the square, where they danced to and enjoyed Mexican music performed live on stage, and participated in family friendly activities. Some told stories of immigrants and the culture. In Hopkins County, it’s the first big event held downtown since the COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions were lifted. People of various cultures joined together Saturday, when the day was observed in Hopkins since May 5 is actually in the middle of the week.
