Omaha immigrant history museum event aims to ‘set the record straight’ on Cinco de Mayo

Omaha Cinco de Mayo of 2021 (Courtesy of Jim O'Keefe)

OMAHA — A Cinco de Mayo commemoration, free and open to the public, is to be held Saturday at the South Omaha Museum of Immigrant History.

Historically, the day marks when a small but mighty Mexican army triumphed over invading French troops in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Though France later would occupy Mexico, that victory galvanized Mexican forces — and May 5 grew to stir feelings of pride and resilience.

Museum director Jose Garcia plans to talk during the Saturday event, which goes from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., about what led to the Puebla battle won by Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín, and what happened in its aftermath.

Today in the United States, Cinco de Mayo is often observed with parties, parades, margaritas. Garcia said museum leadership sees a need to “set the record straight on the true nature of this event and its relevance in a diverse and multicultural nation.”

A special guest is the Omaha Mexican Consul, Jorge Ernesto Espejel Montes.

Among those to be honored for participation in civic affairs are the Father Flanagan Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Omaha and the Omaha Chapter of the American GI Forum. 

Organizers say that other civic and community leaders expected at the event include members of the Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans and Douglas County commissioners.

The museum is at the Center Mall at 42nd and Center Streets, second level on the west side of the building. 

Annual festival and parade

Also commemorating Cinco de Mayo is the annual parade and fiesta on South Omaha’s historic 24th Street — this year planned for the weekend of May 10-12.

Omaha Cinco de Mayo of 2021 (Courtesy of Jim O’Keefe)

Kicking off Friday, May 10, at 5 p.m., the festival features live musical bands, entertainment, Latino food vendors, exhibitors, a health fair, carnival rides and a kid’s area. Organized by Casa de la Cultura, the celebration is anchored at the plaza at 24th and N Streets.

A schedule of events through Sunday May 12 can be found at Cinco de Mayo Omaha.

On May 11 (Saturday), the parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at 24th and D Streets. With a full lineup of 100 entries, the parade of floats, musicians, businesses, schools, dancers, drill teams, horses, nonprofits, politicians and more is expected to last about three hours and wrap up at 24th and L Streets.

On May 12 (Sunday) a Mariachi Mass at the plaza begins at 10:30 a.m. Both the parade and outdoor religious service are to be followed by more festival activities.

Marcos Mora of Casa de la Cultura said he expects attendance throughout the weekend to reach 200,000. He said a goal is to lure more visitors from surrounding states as well as the metro area.

Other celebrations

Among other Cinco de Mayo events:

Thursday, May 2, Metropolitan Community College is hosting its 24th annual Cinco de Mayo celebration, which honors local Latino leaders. Keynote speaker is Dr. Cristobal Salinas Jr. of the Educational Leadership and Research Methodology Department at Florida Atlantic University.

The noon event is at Metro’s South Omaha campus. For information on entry and registration, call 531.622.2253.

On Friday, May 3, nonprofit Whispering Roots will host a Taco Fest fundraiser at its South Omaha food hub, 2624 Edward Babe Gomez Ave.

The event, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., is for those age 21 and older, featuring all-you-can-eat tacos from taco trucks Molcaxete, La Gaviota, El Viejon, the Churro Spot and Los Famosos Tacos de Birria, along with margaritas and other beverages. Omaha native Alexis Arai, who appeared on The Voice and American Idol and reached the semifinals on Tengo Talento Much Talento is to perform as Alexis Arai y Su Grupo Latino.

Tickets are $85 at the event, $75 in advance. Proceeds are to support the mission of Whispering Roots, to bring healthy fresh food, nutrition education and innovative agriculture techniques to economically underserved urban and rural communities.

Omaha Cinco de Mayo of 2021 (Courtesy of Jim O’Keefe)

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