Colorful culture on display at Cinco de Mayo celebration in Abilene

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — Cinco de Mayo is a day to remember the Battle of Puebla between Mexico and France in 1862. It is also a day to celebrate Mexican culture, especially here in the Big Country.

From the sizzle of fajitas to the tap of Ballet Folklorico dancers, Oscars Mexican Restaurant #2 on Buffalo Gap Road was filled with culture and heritage. Gavin Jenkins, a Ballet Folklorico de Alvaro Munoz Academy dancer, said it is important to keep their culture alive.

“You just got to make sure to keep it alive because it’s going to be going on for years and years, has a hard time even at a younger generation, and you just have a life,” Jenkins said.

Bows in hair and hats in hand, ballet folklorico dancers gave a traditional performance that dancer Trinity Escobedo said helped keep her culture alive growing up.

“I didn’t know learning how to speak Spanish. My mom, when I was little growing up, it was the same way for her. She wanted to give a little piece of my culture, so I had something of it to know where I came from, to know what this background is, why I’m Mexican, American, and I’m proud to be one,” Escobedo shared.

Alvaro Munoz, director of Ballet Folklorico de Alvaro Munoz, inherited the group that his aunt founded 63 years ago. He says he is proud to carry on the legacy.

“I think Mexico has got the brightest, brightest, most beautiful culture. We just love what we do. We love promoting our culture. We’re very proud of who we are,” Munoz expressed. “I think a lot of people, when the kids come out there and they see the big colorful dresses, and they’re like, oh, wow.”

The restaurant’s owner, Adrian Lopez, said he keeps his heritage alive in his cooking by using recipes passed down through generations.

“I always like seeing the customers, friends, and regulars, and that they enjoy the Mexican food we make,” Lopez said. “Cooking with love, you feel the love with our cooking.”

A Cinco De Mayo parade will be held in Downtown Abilene at 6:00 p.m. Monday, and you can watch it right here on BigCountryHomepage.com!