Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo, the celebration of Mexican unity and national pride, is observed with parades, fireworks, mariachi music, folklórico dancing and, of course, delicious food. Gather friends and family, and have yourself a fantastic fiesta! ¡Viva Mexico!
Make It Fantástico!
Bright Decorations
Make It Colorful
- Decorate with bright colors, such as hot pink, orange, lime green and yellow, and use them for mix-and-match tableware. Hang crepe paper streamers.
- Use a combination of small pots of cactus, maracas, crepe paper flowers (available at Mexican markets) and brightly colored ribbons for a centerpiece.
Lights and Piñatas
- Place luminarias around the yard if weather permits an outdoor fiesta.
- String colored or white lights inside or out.
- Arrange groupings of various sizes of cactus in pots around the party area.
- Hang one or more piñatas. Make your own piñatas (look to a library or the Internet for directions), or purchase from party stores or Mexican markets.
Lively Activities
Music and Dancing
- Mariachi music is a must! Rent, borrow or purchase CDs or tapes from Mexican markets, or buy at mainstream music stores or online. Purchase inexpensive maracas and tambourines from a toy store or party store so guests can make their own music.
- Find an instructor or someone who can teach and lead dancing, and include both kids and adults.
- Hire a real mariachi band and dancers for a true experience.
- Have kids perform a center-stage program of music, using maracas, tambourines and their own imaginative creations.
Piñatas and Fireworks
- Blindfold a guest, and spin him or her around; then hand a stick to him or her and have the guest try to break a hanging piñata.
- Include fireworks in your celebration if they’re legal in your area.
Festive Food!
- Use margarita glasses for the lemonade as well as for the margaritas. Purchase disposable glasses from party stores. Rub the rims of the glasses with the cut side of a lemon or lime wedge, then dip the rim into a shallow dish of coarse salt. (This can be done ahead of time.) Garnish the drinks with fresh strawberries.
- Make Ruffled Paper Baskets to hold Margarita Chex® Fiesta Mix or extra tortilla chips. Or serve the snack mix in brightly colored baskets, or use bowls or Mexican hats lined with brightly colored napkins.
- Cut Smokey Chipotle Corn Bread into triangles or other shapes, and pile in a large basket lined with colorful napkins. Arrange the napkins with the points up for a fun, spiky look.
- Place a bowl of an assortment of fresh chilies on the center of a large platter, and surround it with Grilled Taco Nachos.
Preparation Guide
Up to 2 Months Before
- Make Smokey Chipotle Corn Bread; cool completely. Freeze bread tightly covered.
- Make Frozen Cinnamon-Chocolate Dessert (do not make sauce); store tightly covered in freezer. (For a crowd-size dessert, double the recipe and put in a 13x9-inch baking pan.)
Up to 1 Week Before
- Make Margarita Chex® Fiesta Mix; store tightly covered.
- Make slush for Frozen Strawberry Margaritas.
The Day Before
- Make tortilla strips for Tijuana Caesar Salad; cool completely and store tightly covered. Mix dressing, lemon peel and juice; store covered in refrigerator. Prepare salad greens and veggies; store tightly covered in separate containers in refrigerator.
- Cook and drain sausage for Grilled Taco Nachos; store tightly covered in refrigerator. Prepare tomatoes and onions; store tightly covered in separate containers in refrigerator.
- Make Honey-Lime Dressing for Rio Grande Melon Salad; store tightly covered in refrigerator. Prepare fruit; store tightly covered in refrigerator.
- Make Chipotle-Peach Glaze for steaks; store covered in refrigerator.
The Morning Of
- Remove corn bread from freezer; let stand covered at room temperature.
- Make Cinnamon-Chocolate Sauce for Frozen Cinnamon-Chocolate Dessert; store covered in refrigerator.
About 1 Hour Before Guests Arrive
- Heat charcoal for grilling.
- Assemble nachos ingredients in foil.
- Season steaks; store covered in refrigerator until grilling time. Warm the Chipotle-Peach Glaze.
When Guests Arrive
- Mix Frozen Strawberry Margaritas slush and soda pop; serve.
- Grill nachos.
About 15 minutes Before Serving the Meal
- Grill steaks.
- Heat corn bread (wrapped in foil) on grill until hot.
Just Before Serving the Meal
- Toss Tijuana Caesar Salad.
- Complete Rio Grande Melon Salad.
- Heat remaining Chipotle-Peach Glaze; boil and stir 1 minute.
About 15 minutes Before Serving Dessert
- Remove dessert from freezer, and place in refrigerator for easier cutting.