Chabot Spectator

Issue date: 5/10/07 Section: The Scene

Media Credit: Bermudez, David The Azteca Grupo Cemanáhuac performs, with their Aztec costumes, one of the dances that their ancestors, the Aztecs, once did. They reminded the crowd of the beginning of their heritage.

Media Credit: Bermudez, David A young boy, with a mask of an old man, goes through the crowd and shakes their hands before he goes on the Benito Juárez stage to perform with his fellow partners one of his dances.

Media Credit: Bermudez, David The young ladies perform a traditonal Mexican dance called, Ballet Folclórico on the Benito Juárez stage in front of their families and friends, wearing colorful dresses made in Mexico.

"Viva Mexico, Viva Hayward" were the chants of the people, led by Chabot College's instructor Francisco Zermeño, who showed up to the Cinco de Mayo celebration in downtown Hayward on Saturday.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the 1862 victory of the Mexican army, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, over the French at La Batalla de Pubela.

Although the Mexican army was greatly outnumbered and poorly trained, the will and pride to fight for their land and country is what led them to victory.

Since then, Mexicans all around the world stop and celebrate this anniversary of victory.

On Saturday, many Mexicans and Mexican Americans were happily celebrating this festive day on Watkins Street, between B and C Street in downtown Hayward. The street was filled with many different types of booths.

There were booths of great food, antiques from Mexico, clothes, and even insurance companies.

The festivities started at 10 a.m. and went on most of the day. Even a group of motorcycle riders from Fresno came to join in the fun, showing off their bikes.

Besides the wonderful food that was being sold for a low price, most of the people's attention was directed towards the Benito Juárez Stage.

On stage were children from around the community as well as other young adults performing Ballet Folclórico, a traditional Mexican dance.

Children from Longwood Elementary and Schafer Park Elementary were among those who performed. Grupo Tlapalli, Ballet Folclórico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno, and Ballet Folclórico Flor de México also danced.

And performing on stage were two mariachi bands who played traditional songs and took requests from the audience.

The day ended with a performance of a live band and people dancing, having a good time, and enjoying themselves.

Although the celebration does not attract as many people as celebrations in Oakland or San Francisco, many people from the East Bay did show up and showed support not only for the city of Hayward but for the anniversary and love for their culture.

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