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Oxnard festival draws thousands
Cinco de Mayo celebration has music, food, fun
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Photo by Rob Varela
Drummer Anibell Gomez of Oxnard performs with Banda Santa Elena during the Cinco de Mayo celebration at College Park in Oxnard on Sunday.
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Photo by Rob Varela
Friends, from left, Jennifer Virgen, Mayra Orozco and Lorena Tiznado, all of Oxnard, watch the band's performance.
Thousands flocked to College Park in Oxnard on Sunday for music, food and family fun at a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
According to organizers, about 50,000 people gathered for the two-day event, where families enjoyed music from various popular Mexican artists, traditional dishes from vendors and rides that made hearts skip a beat.
The alcohol-free event, sponsored by Lazer Broadcasting Corp., has grown in popularity over the years, Lazer spokeswoman Olivia Obregon said.
"We are proud of our Mexican heritage, and this is an opportunity to celebrate our history and have fun with our families," Obregon said.
Cinco de Mayo celebrations serve as a tribute to the Mexican Army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
This year's celebration at College Park also provided an opportunity for community members to obtain information from several local nonprofit groups.
Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. provided free blood pressure and diabetes screenings in its huge mobile clinic, while representatives from the Mexican Consulate were handing out information about applying for dual citizenship and other services.
Deputy Consul Dulce Zamora Lezama said she continues to be surprised at the commercial popularity of Cinco de Mayo in America.
"We have to remember that this is not just a commercial fair ... and why we are celebrating this day," Zamora Lezama said.
While vendors used the fair to display and sell their wares, Henry Villanueva, Oxnard College dean of student services, handed out plastic bags filled with information about the college.
"We hope that some parents will ask their kids and say, Let's look at what you've got in there,' and maybe kids will begin to see themselves in college," Villanueva said. "It's about being here, giving them the information and beginning a dialogue about going to college."
Anna Lopez, 16, and her friends arrived at College Park with one goal in mind: to enjoy all of the rides.
"We're here to just have fun," said Lopez, who along with her friends bought the $30 access pass to all of the rides.
Others flocked to the main stage, where popular singers and bands such as Yolanda Perez, Los Grandes de Tijuana and Los Hermanos Herrera performed for the crowd.
Sisters Brittany and Myra Aguilar have attended Oxnard's Cinco de Mayo celebration for the past three years.
"It's a good time to relax and just have fun with the family," said Brittany Aguilar, 17.
Posted by numonics on May 5, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Funny, in Mexico this day isn't celebrated. Only in Puebla is it celebrated as I have been there. It is just another excuse for people here to party and for retailers to make money.
Posted by shaver_one on May 5, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And, will the City of Oxnard promote the 232nd birthday of America will as much zeal?
Posted by numonics on May 5, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course they will, It's all about money to the city. Another holliday more crap to sell us
Posted by GramMars on May 5, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will "celebrate" Cinco de Mayo as soon as Mexico celebrates the Fourth of July!
Posted by gabino58 on May 5, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GramMars "ignorance is bliss." Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence day. So waiting for "Mexico to celebrate Fourth of July" is not realistic.
Oxnard has many cultures and we should learn how to celebrate them. The 60's are far gone!
Posted by bebez_girl on May 5, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
People can be so ignorant.. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican Army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Where does it state it's a celebration of any independence??
Before people post ignorant comments they should first get the story behind the meaning of Cinco de Mayo.
Posted by 1958boss on May 5, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They say the sports complex and new grocery store won't cause a traffic problem, they should have been in the car with me sitting on the freeway at Rose and Oxnard Blvd. It was blocked from Raider Way past the freeway, with no police monitoring. Suggest they reopen the on-ramp back on to Channel Islands Blvd. behind the Arco station. $%$#
Posted by mikeinsocal10 on May 6, 2008 at 1:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone check their history? Ok so may 5th 1862...victory over the french. Does anyone know that France came back a year later with 27,000 troops and took over mexico(Viva La France!!!) for 5 years? Its funny how America hasn't lost its freedom since it won it from the British and have managed to hold onto it for over 200 years. We still have Texas and California. Choke on that.
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com...
Posted by try_mee_76 on May 6, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's funny how most people don't know what is really celebrated on this day!!
mikeinsocal10....has it right!!! I see it as another excuse for people to drink. Oh and the traffic around this area sucks during these type of events.
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