Cinco De Mayo 2010 Celebrations in Dallas, Texas

Cinco de Mayo is a deeply rooted Mexican holiday in Dallas, Texas. During this annual holiday fest at school, I remember my teachers bringing in freshly homemade tamales and crisp pico de gallo. My friends would be practicing the Mexican hat dance after school for the Cinco de Mayo program. We'd also make mosaics out of beans and seeds to create pictures of Mexican significance. Now that I'm older, I still like to celebrate Cinco de Mayo by attending all the many festivities around Dallas, Texas.

Southeast Dallas Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival (Pleasant Grove area)
May 1, 2010, Saturday, 10 AM
Begins at corner of Buckner Boulevard and Bruton Road; Ends at Crawford Park, 8740 Elam Road
The Southeast Dallas Chamber of Commerce will be hosting this year's Cinco de Mayo Parade & Festival in Pleasant Grove. At the end of the festive parade, a public festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Crawford Park. If you'd like more details, please visit www.sedallascincodemayo.com.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration at the Children's Museum
May 14, Friday, 11:30 AM-12 noon
3535 Grand Avenue and 1318 S. 2nd Avenue in Fair Park
If you have kids, the Children's Museum at the Museum of Nature and Science will be celebrating the spirit of Cinco de Mayo this year. They will be presenting traditional Latin dance performances by the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico Dancers! This event is free to members and for non-members, adults are $9.50 and children are $6. For more details click here.

Cowtown Cinco de Mayo (Fort Worth area)
May 23, 2010, Sunday, (Tentative Date)
Downtown Fort Worth-Main Street
The City of Fort Worth is presenting it's annual Cowtown Cinco de Mayo on Dowtown Main Street. The celebration will offer traditional artwork from local artists, two stages for numerous bands and musicians, and other family fun activities related to Mexican and Latino culture. Admission is $5. More information will be posted as the day draws near at www.cowtowncincodemayo.com.

House of Blues Cinco de Mayo Celebration
May 5, 2010, Wednesday, 5 PM
White Swan Building; Dallas, TX 75202
The House of Blues will be ringing in Cinco de Mayo with a night of food, music and dancing. All proceeds go to the International House of Blues Foundation to support Mariachi programs for the Dallas Independent School District. Lineup includes Mariachi Juvenil Jaguar and Mo-Set AllStarz of Molina High School, W.T. White High School Mariachi Band, Mariachi Los Unicos de Greiner Middle School, and Anita N. Martinez Ballet Flkorico. If you're a night owl, you might as well buy tickets to the legendary Gipsy Kings who will be performing at the House of Blues later on that night. For tickets, go to www.houseofblues.com/tickets/eventdetail.php?eventid=62865.

Anita N. Martinez Ballett Folklorico 2009-2010 Cinco de Mayo Performances
May 6-8, 2010, Various Times
Various Locations
When you think of Cinco de Mayo, one of the most prevalent images you'll conjure up are colorful dresses, mariachi's, and jovial music. The Anita N. Martinez Ballett Folklorico is synonymous with Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Check out where and when they'll be performing near you to get a taste of authentic Mexican culture. For details, check out www.anmbf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=63.