Celebrate Cinco De Mayo in New Jersey? Sí! Free!

4/30/10 - By Shari

In other words, “let’s party!” We always love a holiday that combines history with just plain fun, and Cinco de Mayo has it all. The Fifth of May celebration commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, but you don’t need to know the facts, ma’am, to join in the festivities. From the Camden Children’s Garden to The Community Theater, Jersey is doing Cinco de Mayo and doing it right, with lots of FREE and inexpensive “partido”’s!

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Cinco de Mayo Family Festival, Camden Children’s Garden (Camden)
The Monarch butterflies are returning from Mexico just in time for Cinco de Mayo! Visit and learn about the Garden’s most important inhabitants inside the Philadelphia Eagles Four Seasons Butterfly House and celebrate the holiday with crafts, education, a planting activity and a colorful cultural celebration. Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9, 10am to 4pm. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for children, and FREE for kids two years old and younger. Call for more info, 856-365-8733.
 
Cinco de Mayo celebration, Princeton Public Library (Princeton)
How often do you get to hear a mariachi band at a library? In partnership with the Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton Public Library marks this holiday with crafts, food and entertainment by Mariachi Neuvo Mexico. With trumpets (vihuela), Mexican bass (guitarron) and violin, this band sets the stage for a festive celebration. FREE. All ages welcome. Wednesday, May 5 at 5pm, Albert E. Hinds Plaza. Call 609.924.9529 for more information.
 
Canciones: Hispanic Music for Cinco de Mayo, Montclair Public Library (Montclair)
Enjoy traditional Hispanic songs for kids from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico as performed on acoustic guitar and the Cuatro, Puerto Rico's national instrument. This popular series of informal 'concerts' for families will feature extra songs from Mexico in honor of Cinco de Mayo! FREE. Ages 3 and up Saturday, May 8 at 11am. Register by phone with Maria Labadia, 973-744-0500 ext. 2236

Fiesta Party, Summit Y Family Night (Summit)
Cinco de “Y”-o! (Sorry, couldn’t resist) The Summit YMCA’s Family Night takes a Latin turn. Besides the usual family gym, tumble bees for preschoolers, the rock wall and refreshments, you can also hear Latin music, learn the Mexican Hat Dance and participate in a dance contest! Saturday, May 8 from 6 to 8pm. YMCA members are FREE, non-members $10 per family. For more information call 908-273-3330.
 
Mexico Beyond Mariachi, NJ State Museum (Trenton)
The NJ State Museum is teaming with Young Audiences New Jersey to bring you Alda Reuter and Peter Bogdanos in “Mexico Beyond Mariachi”, a lively dance and music extravaganza that explores the rich culture of Mexico over five hundred years of native life and foreign influence. With colorful costumes, authentic instruments and five larger-than-life performers, it’s like being at an outdoor Mexican market! FREE. Saturday, May 8, at 1pm and 2:30pm. Age range Kindergarten through 8th graders. For more info call 609-292-6464.
 
Spanish Songs and Stories, The Language Workshop (Montclair)
The Language Workshop is always cooking up something for kids who have a thing for other languages, and Cinco de Mayo is no exception. Come hear songs and storytime in Spanish—FREE. Tuesday, May 5 at 1:45pm. Ages 2 to 6. Call
800-731-0830