As the weather warms and the days get longer, there’s one holiday that embodies the start of summer perfectly. It’s the best indicator that you’ve come out on the other end of another harsh winter.
Well, that’s probably Memorial Day. But you know what Memorial Day doesn’t have? An entirely valid excuse to eat as many tacos as humanly possible.
That’s right, Cinco de Mayo is here again, and we’ve got a list of events and restaurants that will have you belting out “Himno Nacional Mexicano” before the night is over.
Pro tip: Cinco de Mayo does not actually mark Mexican independence. It commemorates an unlikely military victory for the Mexicans over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in the 1800s. (We’re sure you already knew that, but included it just in case.)
Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua Dog Races (Dewey Beach)
The Dewey Beach Patrol presents another year of Chihuahua Dog Races to commemorate Cinco de Mayo weekend on Saturday, May 7. Though the racing is reserved for Chihuahuas and other dogs under 20 pounds, feel free to bring your other pups to cheer on the little guys. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. at the lifesaving station on Dagsworthy Street and costs $25 on race day.
Winners of the non-Chihuahua races will be awarded $50, while the Chihuahuas will race each other for a chance at $100. The final winner will take home the prestigious title of “Fastest Dog in Dewey.”
All proceeds will go to the Dewey Beach lifeguards.
For more information and registration materials, click here.
Cinco de Mayo Outdoor Happy Hour (Wilmington)
The city of Wilmington will host an outdoor happy hour on May 5. The event will take place in H.B. DuPont Park in downtown Wilmington, across from the Sheraton Hotel at the intersection of 10th and Washington Streets.
The happy hour will feature live music and a DJ, and is sponsored by Cityfest and Jose Cuervo. It runs from 4:30–8:30 p.m.
More information can be found here.
Santa Fe’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration 2016 (Wilmington)
Though not actually on May 5, Santa Fe’s fifth annual Cinco de Mayo Festival will include a wide variety of live music, drinks, food, beer, games and art. What more could you need to celebrate?
The event will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 8.
More information can be found here.
Mexican Post’s Cinco de Mayo Block Party (Wilmington)
Mexican Post will be hosting its 14th annual block party all day Sunday, May 8, outside its Wilmington location. Enjoy live music, drinks, food, games and prizes. There will also be a dunk tank to benefit the Talleyville Girls Softball League, because who among us hasn’t wanted to submerge a softball coach under water at one point or another?
Further information can be found here.
Cinco de Mayo with Groove Knight (Dover)
Groove Knight, a highly regarded cover band from Austin, Texas, will make the trip to the Cowboy Up Saloon in Dover to help ring in Cinco de Mayo with music and dancing. The show’s theme is “Back to the ’80s,” so bring your acid-washed jeans and headbands.
Doors open at 7 p.m. on May 5. The band will play from 9 p.m.–1 a.m. The cover charge is $8. Corona and Dos Equis beers will be $2 all night.
Further information and tickets can be found here.
Burley Oak’s Tap Takeover at Papá Grande’s Coastal Taqueria (Fenwick Island)
Maryland’s own Burley Oak Brewing Company will be handling the beer for the Cinco de Mayo celebration at the beloved Papá Grande’s. Go for the beer; stay for the suckling pig that Grande’s chef, Ronnie, will be roasting. Other food and drink specials will also be available all night.
The event starts at 4 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m.
Further information can be found here.
