­ In parts of Mexico and around the US, Cinco De Mayo is a day of celebrating Mexican culture and heritage with family ­friendly parades, festivals, and musical performance. Realizing there was nothing like that in West Chester, local residents Rosario Roman and Kyle Hudson decided to take matters into their own hands by organizing a Cinco De Mayo festival.

This free, family­ friendly festival will be on Saturday, May 2 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. It will take place at The Ballroom at the Westside, located at 430 Hannum Ave., West Chester, PA 19380. Free parking is available at the Westside. 

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the courage of the Mexican soldiers during the La Batalla de Puebla, where 4,500 Mexicans defeated 6,500 Mexican loyalists and French Army regulars in Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862.

“El Día de la Batalla de Puebla is a day to commend our freedom. Everyone in Mexico always has a big party and the whole community comes together to celebrate,” said co­organizer, Rosario Roman. “We want to share our culture by throwing a big, big, big Hispanic bash with the whole town.”

Throughout the day, there will be Mariachi bands, folk dancers, live music from Destino de Mexico and Orgullo Norteno, a mechanical bull, fantastic food, and tons of kids’ activities including a clown and moonbounce.

There will also be plenty of opportunities to shop at booths from a variety of local vendors. “This festival kind of grew organically. We introduced the concept to the community, not sure what to expect, and people started running with it. Everyone is really excited to have an authentic cultural experience happening right in West Chester,” said co­organizer, Kyle Hudson.

Check out the flyer here.

This event is held in partnership with Events Guerrero, Walnut St. Labs, Rosario Roman, and Kyle Hudson. Residents can learn more by visiting West Chester Cinco de Mayo on facebook or by calling 484­886­8750. This event is rain or shine.

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Top photo credit: cabrones via photopin (license), and body photo via photo credit: via photopin (license)