Every year, Mexican Americans celebrate the widely known holiday of Cinco De Mayo on May 5. Cinco De Mayo originated from Puebla, Mexico and is a celebration honoring the victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. 

The celebration is compiled with many activities, parades, mariachi music, traditional dances and rides. Not only in Portland does this occur, there are multiple Cinco De Mayo festivals around the United States. Famously, New Orleans hosts a festival with food trucks and entertainment, and many bars and restaurants offer deals for the holiday.  

Cinco De Mayo in Portland is organized by the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association (PGSCA), which is an organization that specializes in keeping Guadalajara culture alive through Portland as well as benefiting Guadalajara by creating and strengthening partnerships between the cities. They do so through art, music, youth and education, while maintaining cross-cultural understanding between two cities.

Here in Portland, there is a festival held on the waterfront, called “Portland Cinco De Mayo Fiesta” lasting from May 2-5. In 2025, they host the 38 annual Cinco de Mayo festival. There are many international music groups performing, showcasing dancing, traditional mariachi music and varieties of different acts.

There are over 30 food vendors serving traditional Mexican dishes such as carnitas, sopa de tortilla and mole. These vendors not only offer various dishes, but they also provide a sense of culture to their food, celebrating the rich heritage of Mexico. The festival is important to Mexican-Americans because of a sense of familiarity and the respect is felt through people celebrating their culture even if they don’t practice it

Including not only live entertainment, there is also The Plaza de Ninos which has cultural crafts, games and activities for children. Face painting, bumper cars and prizes to win, as well as carnival-like rides for all ages to enjoy. When I was a child, every May, I would go with my step dad to enjoy the rides from evening to closing. I can still feel the sun on my skin and the air hitting my face when I rode the rides. This festival was a big part of my childhood.

With the gorgeous weather in Portland this week, the Cinco De Mayo fiesta was a great way to start preparing for summer with outdoor experiences and games on the waterfront. Don’t worry, if you missed it this year, you can go to the 39th annual festival next May.