MAYOR BARAKA AND ESPERANZA AZTECA TO OBSERVE CINCO DE MAYO ON FRIDAY, MAY 5, FROM 4 P.M. TO 8 P.M., AT LOMBARDI CENTER, AT 201 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE, IN CITY’S NORTH WARD

Traditional Mexican food, craftsmanship, and musical performances will highlight free event; Children can enjoy activities and games.

Mayor Ras J. Baraka, The Newark Municipal Council, Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement Jacqueline  Quiles, and Esperanza Azteca will host the City of Newark’s inaugural Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Friday, May 5, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Vince Lombardi Center of Hope, at 201 Bloomfield Avenue in the City’s North Ward. The event is free and open to the public. 

The event will offer attendees Mexican food, craftsmanship, and musical performances by Yolanda Leticia, “La Reina del Mariachi,” Mariano Cersa, “La Voz Ineternacional de México,” and others, as well as activities and games for children. 

The site has been moved from the planned venue at Elwood Park due to predictions of inclement weather tomorrow.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under General Ignacio Zaragoza. Mexican forces were fighting to drive out French forces that had invaded the nation and sought to create an empire there. The victory was a source of unity and pride for the Mexican people in defeating the European invader and its more powerful army.