A trio of Abbotsford women of Mexican heritage are putting on a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Abbotsford this month.
In Mexico, May 5 is celebrated regionally in remembrance of the historic Battle of Puebla – a decisive victory over French forces. It has become honoured nationwide across the U.S. as a day to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride, and now the party has spilled over the border into Abbotsford.
On April 28, a Mexican chef will come to the Abbotsford Banquet Centre to prepare a buffet of traditional Mexican fare. Dinner will be followed by an evening of Latin dancing, and a mariachi band will perform to augment the work of a globetrotting Cuban DJ. The dancing will go until midnight.
Rita Carrington, Pilar Burder and Ofelia Meier, with help from Alvaro Cascante of Colombia, are the organizers. They have formed the group Mexico En La Piel (Mexico in our skin), and they plan to offer the proceeds of the event to charity, and make it an annual happening.
They say sales have been brisk, and Abbotsford people from virtually every Latin country are being drawn to the event. There will be 300 tickets sold in advance.
"We want to let people know what Mexican culture really looks like," said Burder.
Tickets are $35, and are available by calling Ofelia at 604-615-2059.