Victoria Prepares for Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Horns, accordions and ballads are living traditions of the music that came from Mexico. That same type of music will fill the air Saturday during the Cinco de Mayo celebration sponsored by the Minority Business Council and Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

The event is another tradition, Lisa Hernandez, chairwoman of the business council, told the Victoria Advocate, remembering 25 years ago when the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce started the event in DeLeon Plaza. "It was like a reunion," she said. "I would travel back to Victoria from Austin to see my friends and family." She has since made her home in Victoria, and she is keeping the tradition alive with help from the chamber. "There's a lot of family fun," said Christine Blain, director of special events with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. "We have a lot of games and inflatables for kids to partake in, and high school mariachis and ballet folklorico." The kids' area has grown since its start. This year, the children's entertainment will be the biggest it has ever been.

Admission to the event is free, but activities and vendors may cost. More than 40 vendors with food or merchandise will fill the closed off downtown square, Blain said.

The Cinco de Mayo celebration takes place noon to 11 p.m. Saturday at DeLeon Plaza in downtown Victoria. For more information: victoriachamber.org or call 361-573-5277.