May is right around the corner, and that means fiesta time! Before summer really takes over, bringing high temperatures and higher humidity, it’s time to enjoy a party outside. There’s no holiday that’s better for a backyard get-together than Cinco de Mayo! Check out these Cinco de Mayo party ideas and get to planning.
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Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas
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Cinco de Mayo: Host a Fiesta!
It may come as a surprise to most that Cinco de Mayo is more widely celebrated in the U.S. than in Mexico. Some say it’s because of the large Mexican population, others say it is marketing celebration for things like Corona and tequila, much like St. Patty’s day is for Irish whiskey and Guinness. Historically, it is said that since the Mexicans defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, it prevented the French from attacking the U.S. while we were in the middle of the Civil War. Regardless of the reason, it’s a good excuse to throw a party so grab a margarita, throw on your sombrero and get ready for GigSalad’s Cinco de Mayo party tips!
Más Tacos Por Favor
One of the most important things to take into consideration while planning a Cinco de Mayo party is the guest list. Get an estimate of how many people will be attending so that you don’t overpurchase food and drinks. These are two of the most essential ingredients to any Cinco de Mayo party. You may want to hire a caterer to assist you with all the food. You should offer classic Mexican fares like, tacos, tamales, enchiladas, and chimichangas served with rice, beans, guacamole, and salsa. This can take a lot of prep work so get that caterer.
Drinks are another essential part of the party. One of the reasons the holiday took off so well in U.S. is because beverage companies saw an opportunity and capitalized on it. At most parties, you will find a lot of tequila, margaritas, and Mexican beer. Be sure to hire a bartender to keep the adult beverages flowing.
Bring on the Band!
When it comes to entertainment, you have so many options. There are so many different styles of Hispanic, bands and musicians. Most notable and appropriate style of music would be a Mariachi band, since they are a Mexican band. If you can’t get a Mariachi band, bands of the following genres would also be appropriate for a Cinco de Mayo party: Bolero, Latin, Merengue, and Salsa. Nothing says fiesta, though, like a mariachi band strolling through the crowd.
What goes better with a band than a group of dancers? Pair a Mariachi band with traditional Jalisco dancers in their bright, full flowing skirts. You can use Latin and Salsa dancers with their respective bands as well. Have the dancers dress brightly or in the colors of the Mexican flag of red, green, and white.
Where’s Your Sombrero?
Last on the list of to-dos for your Cinco de Mayo party is decorations. As I’m sure you know by now, the theme of the decor will be Mexican. The colors should be bright or based on the colors of the Mexican flag: red, green, and white. You could even decorate with miniature flags or with bright, colorful hangings and banners.
A fantastic party favor and activity all-in-one would be a pinata filled with lots of goodies; fill it with candy, beads, or other favors. It’s a fun activity everyone can participate in, and everyone gets to reap the benefits! If you want to go above and beyond, have sombreros, ponchos, or maracas as party favors for your guests; however, if you don’t want things getting too loud, I’d avoid a lot of maracas.
Whether you’re celebrating your heritage or showing appreciation for the Mexican culture, there is a lot involved with hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration. If this seems like a lot of work, hire an event planner to do it all or maybe just do a little. As always, you can find all the entertainment and services you need on GigSalad to throw a successful Cinco de Mayo celebration. Tener una fiesta fantástica! (Have a fantastic party!)