Who: Town of Mesilla
What: Annual Cinco de Mayo
When: May 2-3
Where: Mesilla Plaza in Mesilla, NM
Contact: (575) 524-3262 ext. 116.

The Town of Mesilla is hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 on the plaza. The event runs from noon-to-10 p.m. Saturday and from noon-to-7 p.m. Sunday. There is no admission charge.

Cinco de Mayo, the Fifth of May, commemorates the victory of Mexican soldiers over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1862. Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, The Battle of Puebla was a victorious and proud moment in history for the Mexicans, as the smaller, poorly-armed soldiers defeated the larger, well-equipped French army.

About 30 vendor booths will line the plaza offering a variety of products including art, crafts, games, drinks and food. There will also be a greased pole climb, sponsored by Andele Restaurant in Old Mesilla, and piñatas for kids. Emily Guerra will serve as the master of ceremonies. Dulce band will play from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and Krucez band will play from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Posters and advertisements for the fiesta will feature artwork by Mesilla Elementary School fourth-grade student Cosima Lopez. Lopez’s artwork was chosen as part of For the Love of Art Month in the Las Cruces/Mesilla area in February.

Following is the schedule of events:

Saturday, May 2
12 p.m. Welcome by Mayor Michael M. Cadena
National Anthem by Zia Middle School Choir
12-2 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Tierra del Encanto and Mariachi Real de Chihuahua
2-3 p.m. Mariachi Espuelas de Plata
3-3:30 p.m. Inti Raymi Peruvian Dancers and Mesilla Children’s Dance Class
3:30-4:15 p.m. Ballet Kalpana and Las Perlitas del Pueblo
4:15-5 p.m. Lucilene de Geus and Paco Antonio Flamenco Dance Groups
5-6 p.m. Greased pole climb sponsored by Andele Restaurant in Old Mesilla; Piñatas
6-10 p.m. Dulce Band

Sunday, May 3
12 p.m. Welcome by Mayor Michael M. Cadena
National Anthem by Linda Goff
12-2 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Tierra del Encanto and Mariachi Azcatitlan
2-3 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Quetzatcoatl La Academia Dolores Huerta and
Los Monarcaz and Acordiones de Oro
3-4 p.m. Greased pole climb sponsored by Andele Restaurant in Old Mesilla; Piñatas
4-7 p.m. Krucez Band

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

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