Cinco de Mayo late but great

Held on Friday, May 13, this year's Cinco de Mayo celebration was a week behind schedule after postponement because of surprise thunderstorms that dampened many Kingstonians' evening plans.

For the past seven years, Chilitos Jamexican Restaurant on Hope Road, St Andrew, has extended its customer experience by offering more than just food and beverage. The Cinco de Mayo Mexican holiday is celebrated worldwide, albeit irreverently, with no real attention to the historical relevance of the date. It has become a time to gather and indulge in beer, tequila, tacos and nachos.

The celebration stems from the Mexican army's victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, where they defeated France.

Regardless of the postponement, the crowd came out to mix and mingle, some in their corporate attire with sleeves rolled up and cardigans crumpled beside handbags. Approximately 350 persons filled the restaurant's parking lot, as indoors, the space can seat only up to 10 people. Small space with the only standing room available outside has not been a deterrent, as support increases with each celebration.

With this seventh instalment, Cinco de Mayo at Chilitos has grown significantly, to the satisfaction of owner Christopher Boxe. "The turnout was bigger than we anticipated, but that's always good," Boxe told The Gleaner. "And people really turn out just to have fun. It's not a lyme or a networking thing. People just come out to have fun."

Music was provided by Fatalic Sounds and Acmatic. The event was sponsored by Select Brands Jamaica, Sauza Tequila and Heineken.