Celebrate Cinco De Mayo in Cranberry

Although historically a Mexican holiday, Cinco De Mayo is gaining ground in the United States – particularly as a day for Americans to wear sombreros, eat Mexican food and drink margaritas.

And Mexican restaurants in Cranberry are cashing in today.

Festivities include a pig roast at on Route 19 and a disc jockey and a magician at on Route 228. If you're just looking for authentic Mexican fare, on Rowan Road is cooking traditional molé and tamale dishes.

Amanda Hart, assistant manager of Mad Mex, said the chain Cal-Mex restaurant expanded its Cinco De Mayo celebrations three years ago to include an outdoor pig roast and a Mexican breakfast.

“It’s a long day, but it is fun,” she said.

The restaurant ropes off the grassy area to the left of its patio for extra room. The restaurant opens at 9 a.m. to serve breakfast burritos and egg enchiladas. The alcohol specials start just as early with bottled Mexican beers $1 off all day. Mad Mex’s signature margaritas will be half price during happy hour, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Hart said they will be cooking the pig all day and begin serving it about 6 p.m., taco-style with rice and beans for $10 a plate.

On The Border will have all-day drink specials, including $3.25 margaritas and $2 Miller Lite and Bud Light drafts. They also will have entertainment with a disc jockey in the bar and a magician in the dining room.

“It doesn’t matter what day Cinco De Mayo is on, people will come,” said Kim Abels, one of the bartenders.

El Sombrero will offer more of a traditional celebration. Owner Gerson Villalta said he brings in his guitar, wears a sombrero and plays mariachi music for his customers . Some of his favorite songs are “Song of El Mariachi” and “Malagueňa.” The restaurant does not serve alcohol, but guests may bring their own.

“Normally, in Mexico, they don’t celebrate [Cinco De Mayo,]” said Villalta, who is originally from El Salvador. “They just eat and have mariachi music.”

The origins of the holiday and the reason for celebrations of May 5, whether big or small, often get lost amidst the cerveza.

“I think it’s [Mexican] Independence Day, but we don’t really talk about it here,” Hart said.

Hart is not alone in her confusion. Cinco De Mayo is often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day, which is Sept. 16.

May 5 commemorates the victory of a small Mexican army over the large, well-armed French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The victory was short-lived; France came back with more troops, taking over the country in 1864.

The holiday is celebrated regionally throughout Mexico, mainly in Puebla. In the United States, Cinco De Mayo is popular from coast to coast – even if its celebrations are less rooted in history and culture than a desire to simply throw a party and have a drink.

As Abels explained, “People embrace any reason to drink margaritas and eat spicy food.”