While there is no shortage of bars and venues who will attempt to lure you in to their Cinco de Mayo festivities, one local eatery has taken a huge step in providing something truly unique for the community.
Donkey Taqueria’s Cinco de Mayo event (held on May 6) will be, to the best of my knowledge, the first time a community-building event has shut down a portion of Wealthy Street south of Fuller since the 1990s days of the East Hills’ Wealthy Street Alive event.
On Saturday, Donkey will close this popular thruway street between James to Henry from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 as they present Grand Rapids biggest Cinco de Mayo party.
Cinco De Mayo is a day much like our labor day but this special occasion honors the Battle of Puebla when Mexico outnumbered by the French Army won liberty from the French.
It has since been exported over the years north to the USA with some of the earliest celebrations occurring in the 1860s. During that time, gold mine workers in California learned of Mexico’s triumph over the French and threw down their shovels, set off their guns, sang songs, and made patriotic speeches. It was a joyous celebration where work was set aside and national pride took over long into the night.
Admission is free to all at this event with our local Latin band Cabildo headlining with special guest act Chicago’s ¡ESSO Afrojam Funkbeat.
For those curious about this act from the Windy City, the
Chicago Tribune writes, “...Esso Afrojam Funkbeat works because the group speaks to something burgeoning in contemporary society. They understand the ways in which we consume music: voraciously, eagerly and indiscriminately. More important, they understand why we do so... Esso is more than just the music. Rooted in the lyrical and instrumental content of the ensemble's music is a unifying goal of camaraderie and openness.”