Sparse crowds braved the rain Saturday evening to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.
Villagers danced to the sounds of Metro Latino at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square and Mariachi Viva La Mexico at Spanish Springs Town Square while also enjoying plenty of drinks and tasty Mexican food.
Between intermittent sheets of rain, residents at both squares spent the night showing off fancy outfits, laughing a lot and sharing stories as the sounds of Latin music filled the night air.
That was certainly the case for Villagers Suzanne Noe and Gloria Burrow, who came to Lake Sumter Landing decked out in sombreros and colorful clothing to show their Cinco de Mayo spirit. Noe was sporting a vibrant green, orange, blue and purple poncho that she purchased six years ago in Mexico. Until Saturday night, she had never worn the garment.
“She decided she wanted she wanted to use her stuff,” Burrow said with a chuckle. “I had to go in my closet and pull colors because I wasn’t prepared. She’s better prepared than I am.”
Meanwhile, Villagers Woody and Sharon Ussery, of the Village of Lynnhaven, spent the early part of the evening enjoying Metro Latino’s version of “Besame Mucho,” a song that is quite special to them. Sharon asked the band to play it for her and then enjoyed a very romantic dance with her husband of 55 years.
“We heard it in Mexico and we fell in love with it,” Sharon said of the love song that was written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velazquez.
“The song’s title means kiss me a lot,” Woody said, as he embraced his wife.
“He kisses me a lot,” Sharon added, beaming from ear to ear.
This year’s version of Cinco de Mayo also was quite special for Villager Alan Sneider, a new member of Clown Alley #179 who was attending his first event as “Whistle,” along his imaginary dog, “Max.” Nothing – certainly not a little rain – was going to keep Sneider, decked out in his primary-color-driven, custom-made outfit that featured a huge blue and white polka dot tie, from handing out fake noses and stickers to children who were attending the celebration.
“I love it,” said the Village of Village of Osceola Hills resident who chose the name “Whistle” because he spent 15 years as an Amtrak conductor. “I love the people and the kids. And this is my first time, so I want to make it very memorable.”
Cinco de Mayo is an annual event held on May 5 to commemorate the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is celebrated every year in The Villages and is one of the more popular events attended by residents.
