Cinco De Mayo

The fifth of May is Cinco de Mayo in Spanish, is a national holiday in Mexico. It commemorates the Mexican victory over the French at the battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862. The victory was an important step for Mexico in her fight for independence. Today in Mexico, and in Mexican-American communities, May 5 brings celebrations, fiestas and parades!  Make your own celebration at home this week with some of these activities and foods.

Song
Cinco de Mayo song (sung to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel)

France invaded Mexico in 1862
The French were strong and powerful
Cinco de Mayo!
The leader of the Mexicans was General Zaragoza,
He was smarter than the French.
Cinco de Mayo!


It was the fifth of May in 1862.
The French lost; the Mexicans won.
Cinco de Mayo!
Book


Cinco De Mayo: Celebrating the Traditions of Mexico
Craft

Mini Sonbrero from Kaboose
Materials:
Styrofoam or paper cup

Mini paper plate
1" wide strip of brown felt
1/4" wide strip each of red and yellowfelt
Acrylic paint in red and sunflower (tan/yellow)
Medium pom-poms in red, green, yellow, orange, white and brown
Paint brush
Hot glue gun


Instructions:
Paint paper plate and Styrofoam cup with sunflower paint. Let dry and repeat. Paint the outer edge of the plate rim red. Let dry completely. Hot glue the Styrofoam cup to the center of the paper plate to form your hat. Glue the brown felt around the bottom of the Styrofoam cup (the edge that is touching the plate) to make the hat band. Glue the red and orange felt over the brown to create stripes. Glue the pom-poms to the red edge of the paper plate, alternating colors as you go (green, white, red, yellow, brown, orange, green, white, etc.).

Food

Black Bean and Corn Empanadas




Sangria In a large pitcher mix 4 parts purple grape juice, 2 parts seltzer, and 1 1/2 parts orange juice. Add oranges and cherries.