Celebrate Cinco De Mayo 2009 in Portland, Oregon

If you are looking for fun, food, and festivities this Cinco de Mayo, then Portland, Oregon is a great place to live (or just to visit)! Portland really embraces the holiday in honor of Guadalajara (its sister city in Mexico). Here are three festive options for your Cinco de Mayo celebration. Put on a smile and check out one (or all) of these awesome ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2009.

The biggest celebration in Portland is the Cinco de Mayo Festival at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This is a nationally acclaimed festival known both for its size and the wide variety of activities it offers. This year celebrates the 25^th anniversary. Located in the heart of the city at SW Naito Parkway and Columbia Street, this event offers five days of food, folklore, music, world class performances and more and more. The festival takes place from May 1^st through May 5^th this year. For details and tickets, go to www.cincodemayo.org.

If you would like to burn off a few calories before celebrating with all the rich Cinco de Mayo foods, than consider participating in the Cinco de Mayo Run hosted by Terrapin Sports. This takes place on Sunday, May 3^rd starting at the Salmon Street Fountain in downtown Portland (at SW Front Street and Salmon Street). You can run or walk the 5K or 10K to benefit The Foundation for Retinal Research. There is also a half mile children's event. Following the race there will be food and fun. For all the rules and registration information go to the website at http://www.terrapinevents.com/cinco_info.html.

If you would rather keep it a bit more low key, just plan lunch or dinner out of one of Portland's many great Mexican restaurants. Two of my favorites are Aztec Willie's and La Isla Bonita. For a casual atmosphere, great food, and dancing some evenings check out Aztec Willie's at 1501 NE Broadway Street, Portland, Oregon 97232. For a schedule, menu, and pictures, go to their website at www.aztecwillies.com. La Isla Bonita (at 302 NE 122^nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97203) has a nice big parking lot, wonderful food (especially the soups), and a very friendly staff.

Whether you plan to join the crowds at Tom McCall Waterfront park, make a run for it at the Cinco de Mayo Run, or just enjoy some great food, have a safe and Happy Cinco de Mayo in Portland, Oregon.