Detroit's Cinco De Mayo Parade 'Showcases Who We Are'

When people ask Alicia Juarez about Detroit's annual Cinco de Mayo Parade, she makes comparisons to the Fourth of July.

"We're celebrating what is a main holiday in Mexico," she says, referring to May 5, which marks the historic 1862 Battle of Puebla. "It's a day of celebration and pride in our ethnic heritage.

Juarez is president of the Mexican Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit, organizer of a parade that begins at noon Saturday, May 2, in the Cesar Chavez High School parking lot at 1761 Waterman.

The route will move north off of Waterman to Vernor, than west on Vernor, finally ending at West Grand Boulevard.

Events celebrating Cinco de Mayo, in a predominantly Mexican-American southwest Detroit neighborhood have roots going back to the 1920s. The annual parade began during the 1960s.

Gloria Rocha, a Patriotic Committee vice-president, has been involved for 25 years.

"This is mostly for pride in our heritage, the idea of celebrating our worth and our contributions to the growth of this community," Rocha says. "We want to show what kinds of traditions and values we have brought to our area."

'Showcase Who We Are'

U.S. census figures show that the City of Detroit's population is 81 percent African-American and 10 percent white, with 5 percent Hispanic.

"A lot of times, we are the 'other minority' that doesn't get a lot of play in the news," Rocha says. "By celebrating our traditions through various fiestas, we are able to showcase who we are."

The Patriotic Committee doesn't stop with the Cinco de Mayo Parade. Members also celebrate Fiesta Mexicana during the summer and the beginning of Hispanic Awareness Month on Sept. 16, and then yet another event for the start of the Christmas season.

"We also want to promote our youth," Rocha says. "We give stipends for some of the youth programs and youth events in our community, and we have started a scholarship program."

Even so, Juarez and Rocha emphasize that the Cinco de Mayo Parade draws Metro Detroiters from all ethnic groups, with audiences of up to 30,000 along the parade route.

Juarez notes that throughout the parade route end and at the end, there are restaurants serving not only Mexican food, but Arabic, Chinese, and soul food. There also are many specialty shops that sell Mexican artifacts.

"We emphasize anything that would appeal to a family," Juarez says. "We're inviting both individuals and families to make a day of it."

Variety of Attractions

The parade features 75 to 100 entries. School marching bands provide music. Low-rider car enthusiasts take the spotlight along with community agencies, businesses, youth groups, law enforcement officers mounted on horses, and of course assorted local dignitaries.

In fact, some of the only folks who won't have a chance to relax are organizers such as Juarez and Rocha. Their duties begin with registering participants, who are encouraged to arrive about an hour before the parade begins.

"I'll have my duties at the start, and then I'll probably be taken to help at the finish of the parade route. We will have volunteers walking along side the parade route" said Juarez. "It is a busy day for all of us."

This year's Cinco de Mayo Parade is on May 2, rather than May 5, to represent the Saturday that is closest to the actual Mexican Independence Day.

On May 5, 1862, in the Battle of Puebla, a band of Mexican soldiers joined civilian farmers and peasants to thwart an invading force from France that was larger and had more armaments. France eventually won the conflict and held Mexico as a colony for four more years, before withdrawing in 1866. Still, the Cinco de Mayo battle of 1862 remained a source of Mexican pride, which is why May 5 is Mexican Independence Day.

Last-Minute Parade Entries

Juarez and Rocha say they will accept last-minute parade entries. Entry forms may be picked up and dropped off at Xochi's, 3437 Bagley; at Cafe con Leche, 4200 W. Vernor; or at LA SED (Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development, 4138 W. Vernor. Also, an entry form may be found by clicking this site. Or, send payments with the group name, contact person, phone number, street address and email address to the Mexican Patriotic Council, P.O. 9358, Detroit, MI 48209.

The advance registration fee is $35 for the first two vehicles, and $20 apiece for up to three additional vehicles. Same-morning entry is $50 per vehicle.

SOURCES

http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/reports/2003/11_livingcities_Detroit/detroit.pdf

http://www.history.com/topics/cinco-de-mayo