Cinco de Mayo events around Sonoma Valley

The largest Cinco de Mayo event in Sonoma Valley will take place in advance of May 5, when La Luz Center stages its popular celebration of Sonoma Valley’s Mexican heritage from 1 to 7 p.m. this Sunday, May 1, at the Sonoma Plaza.

There will be live entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening in the amphitheater and around the booths, featuring the lavishly costumed Aztec Dancers, a collective “son Jarocho” band called DiaPaSón, Quetzalen, our local Mexican folkloric dance company in locally sewn costumes, Grupo Cautivos Musical and the music of Mariachi Barragan. “We are so excited to have this free, family-friendly celebration on the Plaza with more live entertainment this year than any other,” said event coordinator Angie Sanchez. “It is one of the Valley’s most popular events.”

Homemade Mexican food prepared by community members will be available, as well as aguas frescas and ice creams from La Michoacana Ice Cream. Arts and craft activities will be provided for children, and several local organizations, such as MidPen Housing, will have information booths.

In other area festivities, there is a free Cinco de Mayo event at Cornerstone from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, with food and margaritas. Registration in advance gets you a free margarita. Ramekins.com/friends-of-ramekins.

Later that evening, Rossi’s 1906 on Grove Street is hosting its inaugural Cinco De Mayo party benefiting La Luz from 5 to 11:30 p.m. The evening will include live music with Grupo Karma Norteno and a Licores Latinos launch party featuring mezcal, tequila and artisanal rum. A special menu will be served until 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Perhaps the area’s biggest celebration is the Roseland Cinco de Mayo party from 4 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 5 in Santa Rosa. Two stages feature music, dance, and demonstrations including mariachi, banda, fusion, salsa and pop/rock, as well as ballet folklorico and danza Azteca. Last year, the events drew more than 10,000 people. (santarosacincodemayo.com)

Next weekend, Carneros Brewing Company on Highway 12 is hosting a Cinco de Mayo festival from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. The day’s fun will include piñatas for young and old, small batch hand-crafted beer on tap, authentic Mexican street food served by Barrio Marin and music and live entertainment all day.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated to commemorate the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Many mistake the day with Mexico’s Independence Day-the most important national holiday in Mexico-which is celebrated on Sept. 16.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.