Photograph courtesy of St. Louis Core
Americans just love to appropriate other nationalities’ holidays for drinking purposes. And what better reason to drink than to commemorate the Mexican army’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862! (Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day.)
There is no better place to knock back some cervezas than tomorrow on Cherokee Street, in “Little Mexico” if you will. Day drinkers will revel in the early start time (11 a.m.) and the 9:30 p.m. finish leaves plenty of time to go somewhere after and continue drinking.
Aside from the delicious food, ice cold Tecate, and festive Mexican musica, the highlight of the festival certainly has to be the toro mecanico, or mechanical bull. Last year I spent a good hour watching los borrachos cling for dear life only to get tossed into the air like rag dolls.
If you plan to ride the bull, a bit of advice: Make sure you wear clothing suitable for landing in awkward positions. I’m sure some of the ladies from previous years will tell you skirts and tube tops weren’t the best idea. Although there weren’t too many complaints from the gentlemen spectators.
While booze-a-plenty flows down Cherokee during the festivities, it is a family-friendly event. People bring their kids, and for the most part the merriment is tame and respectful.
