This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Patch Picks: Five Things to do on Cinco de Mayo

From drinking margaritas on the beach to mariachi music in Watsonville, there are many ways to celebrate the holiday.

It’s funny that after all of this time Cinco de Mayo has become more synonymous with margaritas and guacamole parties than the battle victory it commemorates. Yes, the unofficial American holiday was started by Mexican Americans celebrating the outnumbered Mexican army’s defeat of the French in 1862.

Unlike Mexico’s Independence Day — September 15th — Cinco de Mayo is not widely celebrated in Mexico. In fact, it is mostly only celebrated in the city of Puebla and in the United States. Today, Cinco de Mayo in Santa Cruz County means tacos and tequila, as well as festivals, dance parties and gourmet cuisine to celebrate the Mexican Culture. 

Here are a few ways you can celebrate Cinco de Mayo locally this year.

Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

1) Watsonville’s annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration will take place on Sunday, May 1 this year, in the main plaza of Watsonville (off Main St.) The event, put on by Fiestas Patrias de Watsonville and La Alianza Del Valle Pajaro, will feature live mariachi music, traditional Mexican food and fun activities for kids. It is a non-alcoholic and family-friendly event which usually draws a lively crowd. Watsonville Plaza from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.; free admission.

2) Margaritaville, Capitola’s favorite spot for sipping a margarita while watching the sunset, will be offering drink specials on May 5, as well as all weekend long. The Hornitos Tequila Girls will arrive to liven up the party and host drawings for special prizes. Drink specials are yet to be announced, but Margaritaville’s full bar offers an extensive list of tequilas, so you can count on something good. Try the festive Ville Combo Platter, which is piled high with chicken chalupas, beef flautas, cheese quesadillas, and nachos—perfect to share with your friends and keep the tequila from going straight to your cabeza.  231 Esplanade #101, Capitola. 831-476-2263.

Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

3) Tortilla Flats is Soquel’s spot for gourmet Mexican cuisine, and if the comida is more important to you on Cinco de Mayo than the tequila, Tortilla Flats is your place. Although a Cinco de Mayo special is yet to be decided, the ambiance, antique Mexican pottery decorating the earth-colored walls, and the fantastic traditional dishes, will make you feel like you are in Mexico. The menu offers authentic dishes with specials from the Yucatan, as well as a section of Frida Khalo’s favorite recipes like squash blossom quesadillas and scallops and fish in scallop shells.

This weekend, Tortilla Flats will be serving Mexican Crepas in case you decide to scope it out earlier than Cinco de Mayo. Of course, they have margaritas made with fresh limejuice and orange liqueur. 4616 Soquel Drive, Soquel. 831.476.1754.

4) On Friday, May 6, Moe’s Ally will host the Cinco de Mayo Cumbia Dance Party featuring La Santa Cecilia and Cumbia Tokeson. The show starts with Tokeson, who are also celebrating the release of their new album. Cumbia Tokeson’s music is a highly-danceable mix of Colombian cumbia, reggae, and funk, complete with an accordion and chicha, or Amazonian psychedlic guitar that came about in the 1960s.

La Santa Cecilia, named after the patron saint of musicians, also features an accordion and the powerful lead vocals of Marisoul, who often sings songs about love, loss and heartbreak. This six-member band from Los Angelas draws its inspiration from all over the world, melding tango, bolero, jazz, bossa nova, cumbia and rumba into an intense recipe for hip-shaking fun. 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. 831-479-1854. Doors open at 8 p.m., Show starts at 9 p.m. $10, 21 and over.

5) Finally, for those who have decided to host some sort of party in honor of Cinco de Mayo, I present a delicious recipe for Mango Salsa. The salsa can be served in a bowl next to your (homemade) tortilla chips, with quesadillas or fish tacos. Although I have made this a few times, I am one of those people who eyeballs instead of measuring, so please bear with my vague sounding recipe. If you want to get a second opinion, search mango salsa on Google and you will find a thousand different ways to make it.

Dos Amigas Mango Salsa
One or two mangos, peeled, pitted and diced. (See, already, it depends on how many people you are trying to feed and how big the mangos are. The key to a sweet mango salsa is RIPE mangos. Choose fragrant mangos that give a tiny bit when poked, since they are sweeter and juicier.) If you are new to mangos, check out How to Cut a Mango for tips.

1/2 Red onion, chopped extra fine. 

1/2 - 1 whole sweet red pepper, diced small. (Red bell peppers highly recommended over green bell peppers, again, for the flavor and sweetness factor.)

1-2 Jalapeños, finely chopped. With seeds for more spice!

1/2 crispy cucumber, diced

1 tbsp naval orange juice (if you have an orange kicking around, try it!)

2-3 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice

1 dash of sea salt and black pepper (to taste)

2-3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

1 avocado diced (optional)

Directions: Combine all ingredients and let the flavors marry for an hour or so before serving.  

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?