Press Release

February 1, 2012

Contact person: Julius Velasquez

Cinco de Mayo hotline: (512) 538-1351  or julius@cincodemayoaustin.com

     Fiestas Patrias of Austin presents the 7^th annual Cinco de Mayo fiesta on May 5-6, 2012 at Fiesta Gardens Park. This City of Austin park is located on the north shores of Lady Bird Lake east of I H 35. Commemorating Mexico’s victory from France in 1862, Fiestas Patrias of Austin invites the Austin community to the Cinco de Mayo fiesta to celebrate and recognize one of Mexico’s historical victories.

     The fiesta will bring the Mexican and Mexican-American communities together as they celebrate the rich culture, heritage, and history of their Mexican ancestors who fought to retain their independence from the French government. The determination to succeed in protecting their freedom, liberty and independence from future foreign invasions demonstrated the willingness of the people to defend their country once again.

     The tradition of Cinco de Mayo dates back to May 5, 1862 when the Mexican army led by General Ignacio Zaragosa led his smaller troop of soldiers in Puebla against the invading forces from France. This battle was part of a campaign by the French to install a European monarch led by Maximilian the archduke of Austria as emperor of Mexico. On May 5^th, after an intense two hour battle the Mexican forces held their ground and the French army retreated.

     However, the victory by Mexican army in this international conflict was just a minor set-back for the French who returned back in 1862 with a larger army and conquered the country of Mexico. The Battle of Puebla proved to be a significant victory to the Mexicans who fought in the battle. The valor of those who fought the battle demonstrates the commitment, devotion, and pride of all countrymen who had to live under French rule until 1867.  

     The two-day event will feature a variety of Tejano and Conjunto bands that will bring the extraordinary sound of the accordion to life through various levels of rhythms and beats. The unique sound of these various musical groups using a variety of musical instruments along with the vocal harmony of lead and backup singers brings the heart and soul of Mexico and Tejanos to life on the stage at Fiesta Gardens.

     Highlighting the two-day event will be performances by Seven time Grammy award winner Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz and Gary Hobbs. Sunday features the Johnny Degollado Conjunto Festival.

     Along with the tradition festival food fare of hamburgers, Bar-B-Que brisket, hot spicy chicken wings, corn on the cob and other delights, there will also be many food booths specializing in festive foods and many different culinary delights from the Mexican and Mexican-American cultures.

     Food specialties like gorditas which are made from cornmeal, fried and then stuffed with fajitas, chicken, chicharones, beans and then topped with vegetables makes this unique delicacy a must try meal experience. Various tacos made with flour or corn tortillas and then topped with salsas of varying heat temperatures and other condiments will make your mouth water and have you craving for more.

     For further information about this event contact the julius@cincodemayoaustin.com or continue to visit our web-site at http://cincodemayoaustin.com for details. Pardon our web-site, but it is under construction and will be updated as information becomes available.