This year?s Cinco de Mayo celebration was held Thursday in Joe Serna Plaza. Sponsored by UNIQUE Programs and Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, the event drew an audience of more that two hundred people.

The celebration lasted approximately three hours, and featured Mexican-style food and music, along with an award ceremony in honor of an outstanding Latino staff member on campus.

With people sitting on the grassy grounds of the plaza, the award ceremony honored Miguel Molina an admissions and records counselor, for his exceptional support of the Latino community, and his dedication to helping freshmen succeed academically.

The fraternity members handed out complimentary pan dulce, a Mexican sweet bread, to children from the children?s center and the audience members.

The menu included Flautas, a Mexican-style entree of seasoned meet rolled in corn or flour tortillas and deep-fried, and other traditional side dishes.

“The flotas tasted like the ones I had in Mexico,” said Megan Lee, a social science major.

The Mariachi Zapotecas band, consisting of ten musicians, played the traditional mariachi horns and string instruments, producing authentic melodies that brought the crowd to it?s feet.

“The Mariachi band was exceptional,” said Jose Ortega, a photography major.

Dean Sorensen, the program advisor for UNIQUE of the University Union, said the celebration was an absolute success, with about two to three hundred attending.

“Everything at this celebration is to entertain and educate the community about Cinco De Mayo,” said Angel Barjayas, president of the Nu Alpha Kappa fraternity inc.

Cinco De Mayo commemorates Mexico?s victory, under Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, but is also celebrated in other parts of the country and in U.S.cities with a significant Mexican population.

Cinco de Mayo festivities continue throughout Sacramento all weekend. Below is a partial listing of local events, for a full list, including regional activities, visit Sacramento.com.

SATURDAY

Local radio station KSFM 102.5 will host a Cinco de Mayo party from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Discovery Park (Garden Highway and Discovery Park Drive). With live performances by Angelina, A Lighter Shade of Brown, Amanda Perez, NB Ridaz, the Lucky Garcia Band, Mariachi Los Gallos and the Folkloric Dancers.

Tickets are $7 (free for children 5 and younger) at Ralphs supermarkets; $2 discount coupons are available at the Folsom Auto Mall. Parking at Discovery Park is $4. (916) 920-1025.

SUNDAY

Visit Cal Expo for the fourth annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Entertainment includes Los Humildes, Los Potrillos Del Norte, Banda Centenario and others. There will be authentic food, vendors, information booths, pony rides and a carnival. The fiesta is from 1 to 7 p.m. Admission is $5, plus $6 for parking. (916) 428-6707.