By Karlha Velásquez, Hola America News
Every year, the city of Omaha prepares to host more than 150,000 people who want to live the cultural experience of Cinco de Mayo in the southern part of the Nebraskan city, an event organized by the Cinco de Mayo Foundation and Casa de la Cultura.
This is the biggest event of the year in Omaha, so much so that it spans three days. This year, it is scheduled for May 10th, 11th, and 12th.
And if our readers are wondering why those days and not Sunday, May 5th, well, the festival is not only about commemorating the victory of the Mexican army over the French empire in the Battle of Puebla but also brings with it the experience of the Hispanic world within the United States.
For Marcos Mora, Executive Director of the Cinco de Mayo organization, explained in an interview for Hola America that the festival goes beyond a cultural experience: “People come from other states, including Iowa, so tourism in the city increases. This represents economic growth for businesses; it’s an economic driver,” he commented.
He added that Cinco de Mayo is already a “positive tourist guide”: “People who visit the Cinco de Mayo festival also take advantage of visiting the Henry Doorly Zoo, which is 5 minutes away from the event.”
Mora received the Henry Fonda Award in 2023, the highest tourism award in the state of Nebraska, which recognizes leaders or individuals in the community who directly or indirectly engage in this sector.
A century of celebration
The Festival has been celebrated for 104 years. Since 1920, the limited Mexican community in the country fought to be recognized and began taking steps to celebrate Mexico’s independence in September. As the Hispanic population has grown in the United States, so have other celebrations like Cinco de Mayo. Omaha didn’t escape that boom.
It’s worth noting that the demographic growth of Hispanics has also been a fundamental factor in organizing this festival, as other Hispanic nationalities are joining in and becoming visible, such as the Venezuelan community participating for the first time in the parade on May 11th.
Weekend in Omaha
Finally, it’s worth highlighting for our readers that the Cinco de Mayo event is free, including the concerts, so you can plan to spend a weekend in Omaha. Below, we’ll share part of the program.
On Friday, May 10th, from 5 pm to 10:30 pm, there will be various concerts, vendors, and contests. That day, the group Los Chicos del Barrio and Yaharí with their tropical rhythms will also perform.
On Saturday, May 11th, from 10:30 am until 11 pm, there will be a parade, concerts, fairs, culinary diversity, an amusement park, and concerts.
On Sunday, May 12th, the last day of the festival, it ends on a high note. For those who want to have fun dancing and exercising, there will be a Zumba marathon. At 4 pm, the famous and renowned Mexican artist Pablo Montero will perform.
If you want more information, you can visit www.cdmomaha.com.
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