Dallas West End Party Celebrates Cinco de Mayo Saturday, May 3

The place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in North Texas is the Dallas West End Historic District, where Mexican food, fun and celebration will take to the streets all day Saturday, May 3. Three stages will offer a variety of continuous live entertainment; non-stop children's activities make for a family friendly atmosphere.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- When it comes to Mexican holidays, Cinco de Mayo is about as American as they come. It will be celebrated in fine Texas tradition Saturday, May 3 in Dallas' historic West End. Translation: Party!

Date: Saturday, May 3, 2008
Time: Noon - 9:00 p.m.

Location: Dallas West End, extending on Market Street from the West End DART rail station to Munger.

Entertainment: 3 stages - two with continuous live music by local bands, one with cultural entertainment including traditional music and dancers

Family Friendly: Plenty of activities for kids of all ages, including bounce house, obstacle course, piñata parties, Segway course, face painters, balloon artist and caricature artists

Food & Beverage: Street booths will be set up by restaurants in the West End and a select group of vendors. Food will include ethnic and Tex-Mex favorites as well as West End specialties.

Parking: Multiple lots on Houston (one block West of the event); several on Lamar (one street East), as well as a large and secure parking garage at the corner of Lamar and McKinney (1½ blocks northeast of the event). Valet parking is available at the corner of Market and Ross beginning at 5 p.m. for $3.00.

About Cinco de Mayo

Often confused by people in the Unite States with Mexican Independence Day (which is Sept. 16), Cinco de Mayo, or "5th of May" is a celebration of Mexican culture, food, music and beverage. The holiday had its origins in military history, however.

In 1862, Mexico was devastated and bankrupt from more than a decade of fighting first the U.S., then a bloody civil war. The mighty French had invaded and were closing on Mexico City from the East. The French, under Napoleon III, had not lost a battle in 50 years.

The French were met and defeated at Puebla, some 60 miles southeast of the Mexican capital, on May 5, 1862, by a much smaller and ill-equipped Mexican militia led by Texas-born Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza. The battle came to symbolize Mexican nationalism and Mexico's determination to live free of foreign rule.

The war continued another five years, when the French were fully expelled. Today, the holiday is celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico.

Cinco de Mayo Block Party in the West End continues the series holiday and multi-cultural celebrations set this year at Dallas' premier celebration location. West End Association President Bob Allen says the area is enjoying renewed popularity, following the closing of the West End Marketplace entertainment complex two years ago.

"The West End is an entertainment destination in its own right, with dozens of restaurants, clubs, museums and specialty shops," Allen said. "Because of the name similarity, some people thought the West End had closed, when it was just the West End Marketplace."

The West End attracts more than 7 million visitors annually, making it one of Dallas' biggest tourist attractions for locals and visitors alike.

About the West End

The Dallas West End Historic District offers visitors a window to the past with beautifully preserved and masterfully renovated historical buildings on tree-lined brick streets. Visitors - locals and movie stars alike - find restaurants and pubs offering steaks to sushi, live music, dance clubs, museums, authentic western wear and boot makers as well as ethnic and cultural celebrations scheduled throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.dallaswestend.org.

Contact:
Michelle Chennault
817-715-4787

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